740.00116 E. W. 1939/1453
The Acting Secretary of State to the American Representative on the United Nations War Crimes Commission (Pell)
Sir: Reference is made to your despatch no. 15862 dated May 24, 1944 enclosing a series of recommendations adopted by the War Crimes Commission on May 16, 1944 (Doc. C.21).
These recommendations appear to amplify, with some modifications, the resolution adopted by the Commission at its meeting on April 4, 1944,56 to which reference was made in the Department’s instruction no. 12 dated May 5, 1944.57 In the latter instruction you were informed that a list of persons in authority in American territory occupied by the Japanese, as called for in the Commission’s resolution of April 4, 1944, would be transmitted to you at a later date.
It is noted that in the Commission’s recommendations of May 16, 1944 it is suggested that the Governments compile and communicate such lists to the Commission “when they think expedient.” This is in line with the views of the War and Navy Departments, which have informed this Department that for reasons of security it is believed desirable to retain in their files, for the present, information [Page 1329] as to enemy personnel in authority in American territory occupied by the Japanese. They have assured the Department that information will be available at the proper time. Consequently, the Department is not in a position at present to forward you the lists referred to in its instruction no. 12.
The Commission’s recommendations embodied in Document C.21 enclosed in your despatch under reference have been forwarded to the War and Navy Departments.
Very truly yours,