Justice - Biddle, Francis, 1941-1943

PSF Justice Dept. ! B. ddle, Francis 1941-1943 PSF-Justice PSF Justice Frances Bidd Folder WASHINGTON Flessonal 1-41 THE SOLICITOR GENERAL August 29, 1941. PERSONAL My dear Mr. President, I am, of course, very much pleased and proud that you should have wanted me for your Attorney Gen- eral; yet sobered, too. Working close to Bob for a year and a half has taught me what the difficulties and problems are, shot across with so many imponder- ables. That is, of course, what makes public work so much more stimulating than the simpler regularity of private practise, that, and the sense of satis- faction, particularly as one grows older, which comes from impersonal striving to a common end. It will be hard to take Bob's place. His honesty and devotion were complete. But you must know, and I like to record it now, that you will have my absolute loyalty and all of my energy to carry out your wishes promptly and with intelligence. I hope -2- too, that I may be able to keep off your shoulders some of the unnecessary worries and burdens which should not be allowed to intrude on your time. With affection, Sincerely yours, Francis Biddle Folder THE WHITE HOUSE PSF WASHINGTON Instice September 26, 1941 Personal MEMORANDUM FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: I want to talk to you about this. F.D.R. Re: Tom Corcoran - - Memo to FDR from J.Rowe Francis Biddle Folder copy 1-41 THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON October 31, 1941 MEMORANDUM FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: The enclosed from the Judge Advocate General of the Navy Department refers to certain statutes which are not dependent on a state of national emergency but would seem to depend on circumstances even more grave. Actually, the situation seems to authorize certain types of action in time of "threatened war". You might check these with previous briefs and let me know if you believe that additional powers are conferred through the actual threat of war. F.D.R. Re: Confidential memorandum from Rear Admiral W. B. Woodson, Judge Advocate General of the Navy, 10/24/41 for the President, enclosing "Memorandum of Statutes Which Come Into Force in Time of War, When War is Imminent, And So Forth", dated 10/24/41 See Raw File - "Powers of the President" Folder for above apinions map Biddle returned with THE memo. ATTORNEY WASHINGTON file Biddle folder GENERAL PSF. to February 20, 1942 Justice he My dear Mr. President: I am sending you mounted photostat copies of two maps which were recovered from the 50-foot Japanese submarine which was salvaged off the Island of Waimanalo subsequent to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Map Two is the interesting one and the enclosed memorandum will show translations of the Japanese characters, written apparently by the Commander of the submarine on the map after entering the harbor. This map was secured by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Honolulu. I understand that copies have been sent to the Military Intelligence Division of the War Department and the Office of Naval Intelligence of the Navy Department. Sincerely yours, The President The White House PSF 7. Biddle Folder - THE WHITE HOUSE Justice WASHINGTON March 9, 1942. MEMORANDUM FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: FOR YOUR INFORMATION. F.D.R. Copy of Welles memo to the Pres. of March 6th and copy of the Pres. memo of March 6th to Sumner Wèlles. RE: Nagao Kita, Japanese Consul in Honolulu who was charged with transmitting information to Japan regarding the vessels at Pearl Harbor copy March 6, 1942. MEMORANDUM FOR THE ACTING SECRETARY OF STATE: What do you think? I am inclined to think that Kita, on arrival in the continental United States, should be kept incommunicado and not placed with the other Diplomats. Plenty of food but no communications in or out. F.D.R. DECLASSIFIED By Deputy Archivist of the U.S. By 1. J. Stewart Date 2-25-72 THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON March 6, 1942. My dear Mr. President: I am returning to you herewith the memorandum addressed to you by the Attorney General under date of March 4 which you sent me with your memorandum of March 6. I think the steps which you yourself suggest are wisest under the circumstances. I am afraid that if we undertake criminal proceedings against Kita, the Japanese will immediately retaliate against a number of our own consuls now within their jurisdiction. Believe me Faithfully yours Ally Enclosure: To the President from the Attorney General, March 4, 1942, re Nagao Kita, Japanese Consul in Honolulu. The President, The White House. ARTMENT OF JUSTER ) Office of the Attorney General 1 Mashington, I.C. 1 March 4, 1942 LASSIFIED By Authority of Justice Dept letter 12-13-61 By Js Date 2-25-72 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Bernard Julius Otto Kuehn was responsible for the preparation of the signaling system used in connection with messages dispatched by Nagao Kita, the Japanese Consul in Honolulu, Hawaii, to the Foreign Minister in Tokyo, setting forth a system of signals to be employed in getting intelligence information to the Japanese fleet. Kita was court-martialed, charged with transmitting information to Japan regarding our vessels at Pearl Harbor, and on February 21, 1942, was found guilty and sentenced to be shot. I am advised that the Japanese Consul, who of course was a part of the conspiracy, is being sent to this country and will be presumably exchanged in due course. The sentence of Kuehn perhaps raises a question of policy about which you may wish to consult the Secretary of State. I am today sending him a copy of this memorandum. t.r6. Francis Biddle Attorney General PSF Justice file the Biddle April 23, 1942 Joe Kennedy's eldest daughter is private secretary to Frank Waldrop who writes the column in the Times Herald Inga Arvad writes profiles in the Times Herald and is intimate with Cissy Patterson. It is alleged that she is also intimate with Joe Kennedy's eldest son. Biddle Folder PSF THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON Justice May 2, 1942. MEMORANDUM FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL Will you let me have the latest information? F. D. R. Two letters from Morris Ernst, with enclosures, re Senator Walsh. PSF Justice Biddle Folder OF JUSTICE Show 1-42 mac hl Office of the Attorney General S Mashington,D.C. C NEW June 19, 1942 CONFIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT On June 13, 1942, at 1:30 A.M. an unarmed Coast Guard Patrolman near Amagansett, Montauk Point, Long Island, discovered two men placing material in a hole which they had just dug; one of them covered the Patrolman with a gun, gave him $260 and told him to keep his mouth shut. Subsequently members of the Coast Guard returned to the spot, one of them thought he saw the silhouette of a submarine off shore; upon digging a large amount of explosives and incendiary devices were discovered available for bombing vessels or factories. There was also discovered clothes similar to those worn by German submarine personnel with markings in German. A plant has been established on the spot and fifteen men are being used on each shift of twelve hours. Every effort has been made to avoid publicity. The Eastern and Gulf Coastal Commands have been cautioned by the Army and Navy of the danger of additional landings by German Agents; and the number and strength of the Coast Guard patrols has been substantially increased. So far as I know, this is the first discovery of definite evidence FORVICTORY of sabotage by German Agents. I shall, of course, keep you informed. BUY UNITED STATES DEFENSE Respectfully submitted, BONDS AND STAMPS Francis Biddle Attorney General friend Birldle Faber THE WHITE HOUSE PSF WASHINGTON Instice July 7, 1942. MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT: The Attorney General called to say that he had sent over some alternate replies to Col. Royal and Mr. Dow. At the time he sent them over, he did not have the information that these counsel probably will take a writ of habeas corpus but he wanted you to have this information. G. PSF: Justice 7, Biddle Folder 1-42 THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON July 30, 1942. PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: I think it would be good politics if you could call on Joe Guffey just to pass the time of day and sweeten him up. F.D.R. 7.Biddle folder 2-42 go 1 JUITE PSF Office of the Attorney General the Justice 1 1 JUSTITA fir Washington.B October 8, 1942 OCT 12 RECEIVED 8 WILTE AM HOUSE '42 Dear Mr. President: of I have received your memorandum of October 1, 1942, suggesting the indictment for treason of the American citizens broadcasting from German radio stations. The Department has had the cases involving these individuals under active consideration and is presently reviewing the transcripts of their broadcasts Indictments will be sought against them for treason and sedition in the very near future. Respectfully, Attorney General. The President, The White House.