Wars of Aggression

Reports on the defense strategy of refuting the charges of fostering aggressive war that have been lodged against the Japanese accused. Discusses how Japanese defense counsel, Ichiro Kiyose, plans to show that the Japanese differed from the Germans and make connections to the Potsdam declaration.

Analysis of handwritten notes, "Salient Points in the Informal Conversations between MATSUOKA and STAHMER, with the German Ambassador assisting." Persons implicated: MATSUOKA, Yosuke; STAHMER; OTTO. Crimes to which document applicable: Tripartite Pact; conspiracy of aggression.

Analysis of Photostat: Memorandum re conversations between German Foreign Minister and Japanese Ambassador SATO in presence of KURUSU and STAHMER and between HITLER and CIANO. Persons implicated: STAHMER; OSHIMA, Hiroshi; SATO. Crimes to which document applicable: Conspiracy for aggressive warfare.

First page states : Tentative Draft. Preliminary Only and Not to be Taken as Representing Dept. of State Policy. Discusses four salient points to the prosecution of war criminals and the establishment war crimes tribunals. These include: "(1) the problem of determining who are war criminals, giving due regard to the conclusions reached by the United Nations War Crimes Commission; (2) the apprehension and treatment of war criminals pending trial; (3) their trail and punishment; (4) the special status of the Emperor."

Lists the assigned counsel for each group assigned to specific aspects of the trial. Groups include: 1. Japanese Constitution, Written and Customary, and the Functions of the Various Offices Held by Defendants; 2. Manchurian Military Aggression, 1931-1945; 3. All China Military Aggression, 1937-1945; 4. Economic Aggression in China, 1932-1945; 5. Narcotics in China and Elsewhere, 1923-1945; 6. Preparations for War; 7. Preparing Japanese Opinion for War; 8. Relations with Germany, Italy, France, and Thailand; 9. Relations with U. S. S. R.; 10. Relations with U. S. A. and British Commonwealth; 11. Relations with Netherlands and Portugal; 12. Class B Offenses; 13. Class C. Offenses 1931-45; 14. Law Relating to Class A; 15. Law Relating to Class B and C.