Description:

(TOKYO WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL) ASSOCIATE COUNSEL DAVID N. SUTTON CORRESPONDENCE ARCHIVE
DAVID NELSON SUTTON (1895-1974) American associate counsel for the prosecution during the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE), popularly known as the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal, convened in April 1946 to try leaders of the Empire of Japan for their crimes against peace, conventional war crimes, and crimes against humanity, leading up to and during World War II. Sutton was largely responsible for gathering witness testimony related to Japanese war crimes in China, including the Rape of Nanjing (formerly romanized as Nanking). Presented here is a large archive of correspondence to and from Sutton during his period with the IMTFE, 1946-48. The bulk of the group consists of unsigned retained copies of letters from Sutton to various recipients in China, thanking them for their assistance in providing him with witness testimony on the atrocities in Nanjing, and in locating said witnesses and helping with other logistical matters. Recipients of these letters include: the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Wang Shi-Chieh; Minister of Economic Affairs Dr. Wong Wen-Hao; Minster of the Interior Dr. Chang Li-Sheng; several other officials related to China's own prosecution of Japanese crimes; and several witnesses to the Rape of Nanking. Of this latter group, Sutton received signed responses from Dr. S. FRANCIS LIU, HSU CHUAN-YING, and HAROLD FRANK GILL, all of whom would travel to Tokyo to testify before the tribunal. Also present is a T.L.S., 1p. 4to., [Tokyo], Dec. 4, 1946, from FRANK S. TAVENNER, JR. (1895-1964), Acting Chief of Counsel of the International Prosecution Section for the IMTFE and later Chief Counsel for the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). Tavenner writes to Sutton after the latter has returned home to Virginia, providing updates on the progress of the tribunal, and signs ‘Frank' at the conclusion, adding a hand-written post-script. Also of note is a typed letter with printed signature, 1p. 4to., Manila, June 3, 1950, from DELFIN JARANILLA (1883-1980), Judge Advocate General for the Philippines who was forced to participate in the Bataan Death March, and who later became Associate Justice to Supreme Court of the Philippines and served as the Justice representing that nation on the IMTFE. Jaranilla thanks Sutton for sending a copy of an article he has written on the tribunal for the American Bar Association Journal. The balance of the group consist of letters received by Sutton while he was abroad in Tokyo, from family members, his law partners and legal assistant, and others, mostly personal content but with some discussion of the ongoing tribunal. Approx. 150 pieces overall, should be examined in person.

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November 13, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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