Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, Europe, Volume IV

860F.00/6–1845

The Acting Secretary of State to the Czechoslovak Ambassador (Hurban)

Washington, July 2, 1945.

Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your note of June 18, 1945 requesting the release to Czechoslovak officials of the following members of the so-called “Slovak State” now detained by the Allied military authorities:

Josef Tiso; Béla Tuka; Štefan Tiso; Mikuláš Pružinský; Gésa Medrický; Aladár Kočiš, and Tomáš Kubala.

A request has been sent to Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces to release, with the concurrence of the British representatives, the above-mentioned persons to the Czechoslovak authorities.

The case of SS Gruppenfuehrer Hans Elard Ludin has been referred to Mr. Justice Jackson,⁵³ who as you know is now in London, in order to ascertain whether Ludin may be wanted as a defendant or witness in the proposed trial of the European Axis leaders and their associates.⁵⁴

The request of your Government for the release to the Czechoslovak: officials of other persons associated with the so-called “Slovak State” now in the custody of Allied military authorities, or who may be apprehended in the future, may be addressed directly to Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces by the Czechoslovak Military Mission.

Accept [etc.]

Joseph C. Grew

53. Robert H. Jackson, United States Chief of Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality.
54. Ludin was subsequently turned over to Czechoslovakia in 1946 and was tried and executed.