740.00116 PW/10–1345: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:40 p.m.]
10706. From Hodgson. Please refer Dept’s cable 9029, October 11. Believe that War Crimes Commission will not sponsor meeting concerning Japanese war criminals mentioned in Embassy cable 10327 of October 4. However, cancellation of meeting not finally decided as yet.
Instead of mentioned meeting British War Office has organized meeting for October 16 at 3 in afternoon at War Office to discuss Japanese war crimes. Agenda is as follows:
- (1)
- Japanese major war criminals, present position.
- (2)
- Japanese minor war criminals, a. Policy. b. Proposed organization in Southeast Asia. c. Procedure for military courts. d. Handing over of war criminals policy and procedure.
- (3)
- Collection and disposal of reports made by former prisoners of war.
Following organizations have been invited to send representatives: Admiralty, Air Ministry, Foreign Office, Dominions Office, Colonial Office, India Office, Burma Office, British National Office, Brit Treasury Solicitor, British Judge Advocate General, British War Crimes Executive, British Prisoners of War Offices and United Nations War Crimes Commission.
Unless instructions received to contrary, will not attend meeting and will oppose sending representatives of Commission. However, believe that Australia, New Zealand, India, Canada, UK, Netherlands and French representatives will desire to attend and will insist that special Far East and Pacific Committee be represented at meeting. They will be interested in British views and plans concerning Japanese war crimes and particularly those relating to Southeast Asia. Lord Wright will probably feel that circumstances require acceptance of invitation.
Dr. Liang, deputy Chinese representative, informed me that Chinese Foreign Minister45 feels that War Crimes Commission is not the most appropriate body to consider Japanese war crimes. [Hodgson.]
- Wang Shih-chieh.↩