740.00116 European War 1939/1185: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Bucknell) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 7—2 p.m.]
8504. Following from Pell re United Nations Commission for the Investigation of War Crimes.
An informal meeting of the members of the War Crimes Commission was held on December 2d at the Law Courts to consider a report of the subcommittee mentioned in Embassy’s 7373, October 26. Mr. McKinnon Wood was appointed Secretary General and will proceed to organize a permanent secretariat. The Soviet Government was not represented apparently for reasons previously reported. Sir Cecil Hurst stated that it was the view of the Foreign Office that steps toward formal organization would have to be taken unless the situation is clarified in the near future. Sir Cecil acted as temporary chairman pending such organization. Referring to Department’s 7644, December 3 to Embassy practically all members of the Commission believe that a separate technical committee would be undesirable. If it be subordinate to the Commission it would be superfluous. If it should be of equal authority it would hamper the work of the Commission. My opinion is that we should oppose the formation of such a committee and appoint no one to it. It is probable that most of the governments concerned would appoint the present members of the War Crimes Commission to the proposed technical committee. A record of this meeting is being prepared and upon its receipt a copy will be forwarded to the Department.41 [Pell.]
- Not printed.↩