Office of the Historian

740.00116 EW/7–445: Telegram

No. 183
The Representative to the International Conference on Military Trials (Jackson) to the Secretary of State 1

[Extracts]2
top secret
us urgent
London, July 4, 1945—5 p.m.

6729. Top secret for Secretary Byrnes from Justice Jackson.

Your cable 5383, July 3.3 Negotiations of agreement trial principal war criminals progressing slowly due difficulty Russian understanding our system of law and our difficulty comprehending theirs. …

. . . . . . .

Am rather appalled at thought of Big Three trying to discuss subject so technical and involved and one where details so important. Mr. [Page 222] Dean of British Foreign Office explains British suggestions4 as not intending detailed discussion but rather as intended to allay Russian suspicion that prosecution is being evaded.

If Big Three undertake discussion seems important that I review matter in some detail President and you because important differences lurk in small phrases. …

. . . . . . .

  1. Sent over the signature of Winant.↩
  2. For a summary of the substantive portions of this message, see document No. 395.↩
  3. Not printed.↩
  4. See document No. 176.↩