Press - Response to Trial

Topics discussed include: Leaking of prosecution affidavits to Japanese newspapers prior to introduction into evidence; errors in Exhibits 26 and 27.

Reports on statement by Joseph B. Keenan that predicted the prosecution of Hideki Tojo and the other accused Japanese war criminals would take two months. Keenan also stated that the Japanese public were "apathetic toward the trials."

Reports on the statements of defense attorney Major Bruce Blakeney who asserted that "America's atom bombing of Hiroshima was no less murderous than Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor." Chief Prosecutor Joseph B. Keenan offered a quick rebuttal stating "we make no apologies for the use of the atomic bomb against Japan." He further argued, regarding the validity of the Tribunal, that "the lack of precedent . . . should not be used as an escape hatch for the guilty." The article also discusses the motion submitted by W. G. Furness to have four of the accused military generals tried by court martial rather than an international tribunal.

Reports on the testimony given by Ryukichi Tanaka, ex-Major General and Chief of the Military Service Bureau of the War Ministry, regarding his conflicting opinions with Prime Minister Hideki Tojo. Tanaka also states that he had asked Shigenori Togo to lead a political movement to oust Tojo. This article covers the third day of Tanaka's testimony on the witness stand. He went into detail on the reasons that led to his resignation, including his belief in "Japan's inadequate war preparedness, friction between the Army and Navy and fear of subordinate officers to report to their superiors of the actual preparation conditions." The article discusses the mental and physical state of Tanaka stating that "previous speculation that the defense in its cross-examination would attempt to prove that the prosecution's star witness was mentally unbalanced failed to materialize yesterday morning."

Gives a status update on Dr. Shumei Okawa and quotes Dr. Nishimura as saying that he believed Okawa might recover a little but that "I doubt whether he could recover completely to be able to attend the International Tribunal again."