It took six years and $1,000,000 to press treason charges againstCalifornia-born ex-Sergeant John David Provoo, 37, a Buddhist devoteewho kowtowed to the Japanese after his capture in World War II. Lastyear he was sentenced to life imprisonment on testimony that hiscollaboration with the Japanese caused the death of an American fellowprisoner. Last week the U.S. Court of Appeals in New York reversed hisconviction, voiding his trial. Reason: he should have been tried wherefound (Maryland, not Manhattan), and he should not have been subjectedto a “prejudicial . . . utterly irrelevant” cross-examination about homosexuality. With the 69 trial witnesses dispersed and at least one (General Jonathan Wainwright) dead, the Justice Department was not certain whether Provoo would ever be tried again.