JUDGE AND COUNSEL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26200, 10 July 1946, Page 5

JUDGE AND COUNSEL

BREEZE AT TOKIO TRIBUNAL SHARP WORDS FROM BENCH (Rec. 10 p.m.) TOKIO, July 9. Mr Justice Webb told the defence attorneys at the War Crimes Trial that the 27 defendants would not be exculpated even if counsel proved that their clients had established a peaceful regime in North China. He said that a great part of the defence cross-examin-ation had been directed to show , that “peace ahd tranquility” resulted after the Japanese took over North China. Such testimony might result in mitigation of the sentences—from hanging to shooting and from shooting to life imprisonment. The American defence counsel, Lieut.colonel George Furness, asked if that statement was a decision on aggression, and also if the tribunal held that the previous treaties between the two nations made no difference. Mr Justice Webb replied sharply. “ You have completely missed the point. I said peace and tranquility brought about by Japanese forces. You are most impertinent. We will deal with you if necessary.” Colonel Furness denied that he had made any attempt to be impertinent.