740.00116 PW/11–1045: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Political Adviser in Japan (Atcheson)
116. Urtel 105, November 10. Dept. informed by War Crimes Office that biographical statements which accompanied lists of major war criminals were intended to assist identification. Very little information this type available in Washington additional to above and to Dept’s despatch no. 3 of October 17.94
Dept. understands that War Crimes Office has organized its information by particular offenses or types of offense and that this material contains additional information on many of the major war criminals. Bulk of this information probably in Manila. It is not presently planned to reexamine and assemble in Washington this information as evidence to form basis of trials of listed individuals.
In as much as trial of major war criminals will probably be only trial to include charges under category 1–A of JCS 1512 (SWNCC 57/3)95 it is believed you should emphasize necessity of securing evidence in Tokyo to substantiate such charges. Question of inclusion of particular individuals on list you are preparing should take into account whether inclusion at present time will be of assistance in obtaining such evidence.