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Parent The situation in Japan
Date 21 November 1946
Language English
Collection Tavenner Papers & IMTFE Official Records
Box Box 3
Folder General Reports and Memoranda from November 1946
Repository University of Virginia Law Library
21 November 1946 PERSONAL Captain Luke Lea, Jr. Civil Affairs Division War Crimes Branch 4D 935 Pentagon Building Washington, D. C. Dear Captain Lea: Carlisle and I have enjoyed your letters very much, and I apologize for being so long in writing. You were indeed very thoughtful in going to all the trouble you did to get in touch with our wives on your return, and we are very grateful for this. Since you have left we have appreciated more than ever before the many daily tasks handled by you. Every conceivable question it seems has arisen regarding our mess at the Mitsui House. I will not burden this letter with details because it has all worked out satisfactorily, but just to give you an idea of what I stepped into, I will enumerate the matters involved: Japanese notified us they could no longer feed Japanese employees due to lack of food; the Captain at GHQ took the position we were not a billet and that we should buy our own food with the use of commissary cards; my right to sign ration was questioned; and other matters I do not now recall. Most of these questions arose in one day, but, as I stated, matters have been straightened out in a very practical way. Part of the new scheme is that the Japanese are contributing around ¥200 a month from their salaries for the purchase of extra food for their consumption, a special permit for which has been obtained from the Japanese government. I have many inquiries from your friends regarding you, and I have seen a good deal of Captain Arrowsmith, whom I like very much. I finally induced Carlisle Higgins to go to Fuji View for one weekend. We came back before our time was up, and it is well we did for we found on our return that Kutiesan was seriously ill with pneumonia. A Japanese doctor had been called in and had reported that it was necessary to have penicillin at once. It takes considerable red tape to obtain penicillin, but it was obtained and she is now getting along nicely. Captain Arrowsmith came to our relief by furnishing his doctor, a Captain Weber, who is now