Press - Response to Trial

Reports that A. E. Zaryanov (Soviet representative for the IMTFE) and S. A. Golunsky (Soviet associate prosecutor) have arrived in Tokyo to assume their positions for the war crimes tribunal. Another news wire piece reports that Chen Kung-po, Japanese appointed puppet in China, was sentenced to death in Soochow.

Reports on how HATAYOMA was denied the premiership by SCAP because of his "career as secretary on the notorious Tanaka Cabinet from 1927 to 1929" as well as his ultra-nationalistic speeches and writings. Indicates that Hatayoma may be tried as a war criminal and that "SCAP says he shares blame for formulating peace preservation law."

Reports on the commentary offered by Lt. Robert J. Collins, defense attorney representing Major Yaichi Rikitake at the Yokohama war crimes trials. Rikitake was charged with "the death of 150 allied prisoners." Collins maintained that hearsay evidence admitted through affidavit would never have been allowed in the American court system, but was being allowed at the war crimes trial. Other news items reported on include the sentencing of Isamu Ishihara for torturing American prisoners while serving as an interpreter at Shanghai prisoner camps and the execution of thirteen Japanese convicted of war crimes in Canberra, Australia.

Reports on the testimony of General Hayao Tada who told the Tribunal that "no plans for the Pacific War were made during his tenure of office as Vice-Chief of General Staff between August, 1937 and December, 1938." He repeatedly emphasized that "fighting in China had broken out spontaneously." The prosecution objected to his testimony and brought up the earlier affidavit given by Colonel David D. Barrett who "believed that the incident at Wanping, near Marco Polo Bridge, was the 'carefully prepared excuse for the second stage of Japan's undeclared war on China.'" Also discusses the defense cross-examination of Wang Len-chai, magistrate of Wanpinghsian and the introduction of the prosecution's witness, A. A. Dorrance, "formerly manager of the Standard Oil Company in Hankow."

Reports on Kenryo Sato's thoughts regarding Japan's policy towards the China Incident. Sato served as the Press Section Chief of the War Ministry. In a series of speeches entered into evidence, the Tribunal heard about the disorganized policy and the "disagreement among the governmental ministries." In addition, other excerpts told of "a number of efforts to bring about peace including an attempt at mediation by the German Ambassador in Tokyo, as well as peace feelers by Chiang Kai-shek." Also describes Hachiro Arita's role regarding China and that the prosecution's submission of evidence "created such a wrangle that the court proceedings were reduced to a snail's pace."