Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, General; the British Commonwealth; the Far East, Volume I

740.00116 European War 1939/555: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State

London, September 20, 1942—2 p.m.
[Received September 20—10 a.m.]

5253. For Harry Hopkins. When Averell³⁰ returned here he told me you had made some statement to him on the atrocity commission plan which I forwarded to the President by letter but Averell’s statement was not sufficiently definite to permit me to reply to the Government here. I have had no other word although the Foreign Office has told me that Halifax has also broached the subject.

Since wiring you more than 200 petitions have come to me personally from British organizations asking for some action on atrocities. The Allied Governments here have been pressing the British Government for some definite action on this subject. This morning Eden called me explaining that the Government would have to answer a question on this matter before the Parliament and he asked me if I could not get an immediate reply.

The questions that the British want answered and which are in part covered by my letter to the President with its accompanying documentation can be briefly divided into three parts:

(1) The setting up of a commission to investigate evidence on atrocities. Is the arrangement proposed by the British satisfactory?

(2) The British want to know the President’s views as to what we should say jointly to the other Allied Governments on this issue.

(3) Would we agree to the inclusion in the armistice terms of an agreement requiring the enemy to surrender war criminals to the Allies?

I would very much appreciate an early reply.

Winant

30. W. Averell Harriman, lend-lease “expediter” in London, with rank of Minister.