Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 132: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
C–59939. Urmsg JCS 90157.1 Msg in 5 paragraphs.
1. Regarding par 2A (1), insufficient information available here to substantiate such a high percentage of US POWs in China and Manchuria. Nevertheless consider that there are some US POWs in China and Manchuria, however the information available here at this time precludes a reasonable estimate as to actual numbers.
2. Re your paragraph 2A (2) it is noted that 11 POW Camps as submitted by Communists to UN Delegates have been accurately reported by intelligence sources, except for the Chon-Ma Camp for which we have up until now only 1 report. Analysis of our intelligence reports indicates that there are probably other camps. Our reports usually indicate areas which probably include several individual camps. On this basis it is estimated that there are more likely 30–35 camps in NK. This further indicates Communists lists of camps is far from complete. The total number of POWs in the camps which we feel exist and which have not been reported by the Communists is unknown.
3. Re your para 2A (3) and (4) concur except possibly Mukden and Antung; it is believed that sufficient time was available for enemy to have moved POWs into Korea.
4. Re your para 2B (1) and para 3 in connection with the discrepancy between the number of POWs as reported by the Communists and our missing in action figures, serious consideration should be given to the high death rate among the POWs in the camps reported by our sources. These could well have been purposely omitted from the Communist list.
5. Re your para 3 and para 2B, discrepancies you have quoted have been noted and detailed analysis being made to determine the exact differences between the list of POWs submitted by the Communists and the names appearing in other media such as photos, broadcasts and press reports previously published. Anticipate complete reply in 48 hours. In view of the above and other details to be forwarded, it is believed that a telecon will serve no useful purpose at this time.