711.94114/12–1144
The Spanish Embassy to the Department of State
Ex. 150.000
Memorandum
The Spanish Embassy presents its compliments to the Department of State and has the honor to transmit the following memorandum received from the Japanese Government through the “Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores” in Madrid:
Memorandum, December 9, 1944.
“Dispatch dated 1st November sent to New York Herald Tribune from Dagami by Frank Kelly attached to U.S. Seventh Division in Leyte, contains an account of battle on the day preceding All Saints’ Day given by Lieutenant Bronks of New York State which is to following effects.
Harry Travers of New Orleans killed Japanese Captain who rushed on from right hand side of Dagami Cemetery with sword and revolver in hand. Private named Will Carry who had been wounded by Japanese Captain with revolver, took sword from deceased. Curney Mill, who had been wounded with sword took revolver and Travers who had killed Japanese Captain looted latter’s wrist watch.
Above fact shows that United States troops took no steps to protect Japanese soldiers killed in battle from looting and ill treatment. Above mentioned conduct of U. S. soldiers is violation of Article 3 of 1929 Geneva Convention regarding amelioration of condition of wounded, and Japanese Government therefore file protest with United [Page 1145] States Government and demand them to give instructions to their forces in order to prevent any recurrence of such unlawful conduct in future.”