740.00117 P.W./9–2644
The Spanish Embassy to the Department of State 34
Ex. 111.00
Memorandum
The Spanish Embassy presents its compliments to the Department of State and with reference to its Memorandum dated May 9, regarding a reported attack on Japanese hospital ships in Pacific waters, begs to transmit a new complaint from the Japanese Government regarding the same matter received through the “Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores” in Madrid, which reads as follows:
“Memorandum—September 26, 1944
In the two replies of the United States Government on the protest of the Japanese Government against the unlawful attacks made by the United States forces on the Arabia Maru and five other Japanese hospital ships, it is alleged that the hospital ships were in the vicinity of Military objectives or that the marking of the ships or its illumination was imperfect. Based on such false representation of facts, the United States Government attempt to excuse the acts of their forces which were perpetrated either deliberately or through lack of due care.
The Japanese Government estably and refute [totally refutes]35 these allegations in view of the indisputable facts which have been clearly stated in their two former communications.
The Japanese Government regret that the replies of the United States Government are most unsatisfactory, and hereby confirm their notification to the United States Government that the Japanese Government reserve all rights relating to the unlawful attacks made on the Arabia Maru and five other Japanese hospital ships.”
- In a letter of December 1, 1944, Acting Secretary of State Stettinius informed Admiral William D. Leahy, Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army and Navy, that “the Department is merely acknowledging the receipt of these communications” of September 26 and October 18 (see footnote 35, below) “from the Spanish Embassy and is informing the British Embassy in the premises.” Both of these actions were taken on December 1. The British Government had been presented with a virtually identical Japanese protest. (740.00117 P.W./11–1544)↩
- Correction based on memorandum No. 230, Ex. 111.00, October 18, from the Spanish Embassy (not printed).↩