740.00116 EW/12–644: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union ( Harriman ) to the Secretary of State

4659. Press for December 6 publish[ed] prominently Lublin account dated December 3 of hanging of five Hitlerites sentenced for crimes committed in Majdanek death camp.

Execution was witnessed by over 20,000 persons who according to story, hurled imprecations at Hitlerites, such as “that is what they deserve”. Despatch adds that execution was greeted by stormy approval.

Sent to Department as 4659, repeated to London as 285 for Schoenfeld.

Harriman