740.00116 PW/11–545: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
9753. For Hodgson. Urtel 11594, November 5. Depts instruction 19, October 2364 contained copy of memorandum of United States policy and copy of the identic note of October 18, communicating memorandum to signatories of Japanese surrender document.
Dept considers proposals of C–145 (1) very close to United States policy as formulated by SWNCC, but does not believe it would be appropriate to request FonOff to take action in accordance with Article 8 of that document. British Embassy has informed Dept that FonOff has expressed hope that United States Govt will not commit itself in any public declaration to recommending repetition of European procedure in the case of major Far Eastern war criminals and that British Govt is considering a means of securing a simpler procedure for dealing with Far Eastern war criminals problem. In [Page 952] view of this FonOff attitude, and appearance of subject of apprehension and punishment of war criminals as item 9 on tentative agenda now before Far Eastern Advisory Commission for its consideration, Dept suggests you associate yourself with position Craigie proposes to take and that action on C–145(1) should be deferred pending consideration of subject through diplomatic channels.
- Not printed.↩