Evening star., 1936-09-04
FARNSWORTH ASKS
JAPANESE TO AID
HIM CLEAR SELF
Seeks Affidavits From Five
Officers to Prove Actions
Legitimate"
3 OF MEN ATTACHED
TO TOXIC EMBASSY
Original Agreement Was to Act
as Naval Adviser" Suspect
Writes.

Afldavits from five Japanese naval
officers, three of them now on duty
here, are being sought by John S.
Farnsworth, former naval officer, in
an effort to clear himself of espionage
charges.
In letter to the Japanese Ambas-
sador, FarnSworth, it was. learned to-
day, said he noted a change in the
personnel of the naval Office was i'm
minent, and that before it took place
he requested a statement from Capt.
Tanon Yamaguchi, japanese naval
attache, and his two assistants, Comdr.
b. Yamaguchi and Comdr. 10.
In addition, he requested that the
Japanese Ambassador communicate
with Comdr. Yosiyuki Itimiya and
Comdr. Okira Yamaki, formerly with
the Japanese naval Office here, who
have returned to Toxic The latter
two officers were mentioned in the
second indictment returned against
Farnsworth by the grand jury charg-
ing conspiracy to sell secret informa-
tion concerning the national defense
of the United States to the japanese
government. The first indictment.
charging him with selling a secret
naval document, Source of Informa-
ton and Security" merely mentioned
an agent of the Japanese government.
The affidavits asked by Farnsworth
would be to the effect that his con-
nection with the japanese navy was
in the capacity of adviser and of
perfectly legitimate nature" accord
ing to his letter. dated August 81.
Letter to State Department.
Meanwhile. in another letter to the
State Department, the former Navy
flyer expressed regret that the two
officers mentioned in the indic.me
were in Japan, but stating that four
more members of the Japanese En-
bassy staff, three in the naval office,
were here and if they desired to waive
diplomatic immunity, could testify
that as far as he was concerned there
were no dealings in confidential" or
ssecret" documents.
Farnsworth, who is held in default
of $4,000 bond, pleaded not guilty
to the first indictmant q He was
scheduled to enter plea to the sec
ond indictment recently, but the hear
ing was postponed to avoid embarrass-
ing Japanese naval officers and sailors
here on a visit. His arraignment to
plead on the second indictment will
be held Tuesday, according to District
Attorney Leslie c. Garnett.
The former naval officer declined
to make any comment on the two let
tiers, stating he had not received any
answer, either from the State Depart
ment or the japanese Embassy
In his letter to the Japanese En-
bsssy, he wrote:
'As is well known to your staff, my
original agreement with your naval
Office was made with Comdr. Itimiya,
and was to the effect that I was to
act as naval adviser to the Japanese
Navy and was later to assist in GER
tain reorganization work in Japan,
chiefly in connection with aviation.
For this I received my expenses and
O bonus which varied with the
amount of time I was able to devote
to my advisory consulting work. This
same agreement was continued In
effect during Comdr Yamaki's tour
of duty here and extended over into
Comdr. Yamaguchi's tour, also, whicE
Is just terminating"
Reports Numerous Contacts"
Stating that ne did not expect
any direct testimony on the part OF
any Japanese" Farnsworth wrote:
Il have had numerous contacts with
these three officers Capt. Yamaguchi
and Comdrs. Yamaguchi and Jo) and
there Is no reason why they cannot
clear up the situation by furnishing
me the affldavits. In fact, it is dis
tinctly to their advantage as well
rs mine ..
Il realize that such a procedure is
considerably at variance with custom.
However, there is also the fact that
many diplomatic customs are being
put aside in certain cases where the
result is a surer and quicker ad-
ministration of justice. And as none
Of these officers will be available for
testimony the next best thing is to
have the affidavits suggested above
If you wish, the affidavits may
be retained in the files of your Office
for future use only If the situation
demands, with your permission to call
Tor them If the need arises"