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Parent Teletype Conference June 5, 1946
Date 5 June 1946
Language English
Collection Tavenner Papers & IMTFE Official Records
Box Box 3
Folder General Reports and Memoranda from June 1946
Repository University of Virginia Law Library
5 June 1946 TELETYPE CONFERENCE TOKYO 0604/2400/ZClassification: Unclassified WASHINGTON 0605/0030ZTT 6434 Unclassified SUBJECT: War Crimes PRESENT IN TOKYO: Mr. Willis Mahoney, IPS, Mr. Lloyd Lambert, IPS and Lt. Edmund Sweeney, for Col. Carpenter, Legal Section PRESENT IN WASHINGTON: Lt. Col. V. C. Swearingen, OSC War Crimes Branch Lt. Col. W. T. Hornsday, OSC War Crimes Branch Mr. Otto Lowe, War Crimes Branch Mr. Thomas W. O’Hara, Department of Justice Mr. Robert Murphy, representing Mr. Keenan TOKYO 5 For Col. Carpenter Following are the answers to queries for Col. Carpenter, transmitted in telecom of 29 May; and questions which this Section would like passed on to Washington; all of which is for your telecom of 5 June 1946. Answer to WD 1 (29 May 46) (1)As to the First and Second Lieutenants with CIC background, our T/O will not permit any additional officers. (2)Regarding Edwin B. Bentley, Lakeland, Florida, who has applied for War Crimes judicial position, the information has been passed on to Hq. 8th Army which designates the members of War Crimes Commissions. (3)Regarding Charles W. Tillett, Charlotte, North Carolina, the information has been passed on to GHQ. (4)Regarding Jack Davies and Captain Samuel Rowe, noted. Answer to WD 11 (29 May 46). Activity regarding requisition for civilian lawyers noted and appreciated. New item from Colonel Carpenter. Examination of the files in the Legal Section discloses that there are approximately 8,000 Americans, who were former prisoners of war in Japan, from whom no statement regarding atrocities and prisoner of war camp conditions have been taken; or that, if such a statement was taken, it is not in proper form for admission into evidence. There are several hundred questionnaires that were taken but the information has never been developed. The total number of Americans, who were held as prisoners of war in Japanese prisoner of war camps, is approximately 13,000. To satisfactorily carry out the prosecution of the Japanese war criminals, it is necessary that every former prisoner of war be contacted and his statement formulated so that it may be used as evidence. Recently a plan was approved, both here and in Washington, under which approximately 92 former prisoners of war, who held key positions in the prison camps, would be returned to Japan to assist