WAR CRIMINALS IN SIAM

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23319, 1 October 1945, Page 5

WAR CRIMINALS IN SIAM

Identification In Films (7.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 29. More than 30 Japanese officers on the administration of prison camps in Siam were identified yesterday as the perpetrators of atrocities or responsible for maladministration resulting in thousands of deaths. British, Australian and Dutch persons, former prisoners, made the identification. In the first screenings the arrested suspects, among whom were 50 Japanese held near Bangkok, were viewed in a line-up by six selected groups of prisoners. Accusations ranged from withholding food and medical supplies to actual killings. Three lists were drawn up during the screening—a black list for definite charges, a white list for those identified as consistently humane and helpful to the prisoners, and a third list for unidentified persons or against whom there were no specific charges. Major R. C. Laming, a former prisoner, who before the war was a Judge of the Siamese Court of Appeals, is now directing the screening procedure. He said that only those against whom there were probable charges would be detained. Former prisoners would remain at Bangkok to testify at the trials.

The British Secretary of War (Mr J. J. Lawson), speaking to the Press at Singapore, said: “Britain will see that justice is meted out to Japanese war criminals even if they are of the most exalted status. Although I have heard a good deal about the cruelties practised, the facts come as a shock when you meet the persons concerned.” The punishment of the guilty would be as expeditious as possible.