JAPANESE WAR CRIMES
CHARGES AGAINST CIVILIANS POSSIBILITY OF ACQUITTAL (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) TOKYO. Sept. 19. After reading at the War Crimes Tribunal to-day a statement in which Lieutenant-General Oshima, a former Japanese Ambassador to Germany, admitted secret dealings with von Ribbentrop, the deputy-prosecutor (Mr Frank Tavenner) said: “I will prove that negotiations for a military pact were conducted through Japanese military channels and I will prove that the Japanese Army was strong enough to force its will updn the Government.” The defence took quick advantage of this implication that civilian leaders were forced into war measures. One defence counsel said: “That is something new. Is Mr Tavenner speaking for the entire prosecution?”
The presiding Justice, Sir William Webb, smiled and pointed out that if the prosecution statement was proved it might mean an acquittal on war plotting charges for civilian Government leaders and members of the Cabinet.
The Court adjourned to allow the prosecution counsel to donfer.
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Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24986, 21 September 1946, Page 7
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157JAPANESE WAR CRIMES Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24986, 21 September 1946, Page 7
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