Arizona republican., 1917-04-29
JAPANESE PLAN
 TO AID NATION IN GREAT WAR

Japanese residents of Arizona are ready to do their bit for the United States in the war against Germany. AmericaniZed sons of the FloWery Kingdom look upon America as an ally of Japan, for Japan has long since been at war against Germany and allied with Great Britain, France and Russia. The entrance of the United States into the great conflict has created new ties binding the great republic of the west ern hemisphere and the Island King dom of the far east.
 All this and much more was set forth yesterday by II. O. KanekO, secretary and active worker of the Japanese As an interview that within the preceding twenty four hours, practically every Japanese resident of Mesa and vicinity, including the wives of those living south of the river, had enrolled as members of the American Red Cross and had made an initial contribution to that organiZat tiOn of $63. And when his efforts in Mesa had been crowned
 with success. Secretary kanekO re-
 turned to Phoenix and began the work of enrolling local Japanese residents. Although not much more than a start was made yesterday, announcement { 1 had been secured here, with prospects that practically every eligible man and woman will ultimately join in the work. While primarily the work of raising funds will come first. Secretary KanekO believes he has evolved a plan which will result in some very effective work something that will be felt and appre- ciated immediately. This work is that , of seeing that all members of the Ari- zOna regiment now in the service, either on the border or elsewhere are sup ! piled with needed fruits and vegetables. 1 Already shipment of lettuce has been made to the members of the Mesa com | pdny. and it is likely that today or , tomorrow another shipment of lettuce
 or other vegetables will be sent to the ! Phoenix companies. In fact, Secretary ! kaneko believes that the next ship ! ment will be sufficient to guarantee i fresh vegetables to all the members
 of the Arizona forces
 Inquiry was made of Governor
 Campbell yesterday as to the num- |, Der of men in the Phoenix companies i now at the border It was learned
 that there are at least l25 men from
 this city and Tempe, not counting a i large number now on leaves of ab- ! sence. Governor Campbell was told of 1 the plans of the Japanese association and expressed himself as gratified and ! pleased at the spirit shown by the 1 Japanese residents of the Salt River valley. He promised whatever SUD- l port is possible both as chief eXecu = tive of Arizona and as a loyal citizen Secretary Kaneko sat in his office at 226 East Jefferson street yesterday afternoon. and outlined to a reporter for The Arizona Republican something of the plan he has in mind, part of which has already been accomplished
 We have in Phoenix and on the 1 southside over two hundred members
 of the Japanese association of Arizona In the Salt River valley JaYanese res
 dents have more than 5000 acre, un- der cultivation. This cultivation is ot ! the intensive order being devot-d mostly to the raising of garden truck 1 watermelons and cantaloupes Ii means that the Japanese are supplying more vegetable to the Salt River val l ley than any other people. The Japan
 ese are practically supplying the entire valley crop of strawberries this year
 The Japanese are a thrifty people and they make the most of the soil and of their opportunities. But without the help of tic good people of Arizona, without the blessed sunshine and the ! waters of the Roosevelt dani our ef- forts would not be successful. We
 have every reason to be grateful for these blessings and We would be an , ungrateful people indeed if We did not
 rise to the needs of the country in its ! present crisis and s:.e every assist ance to the people and 10 the country ] to which we owe our prosperity and i our happiness.
 Tt grieves me and it grieves every
 loyal member of the Japanese associa
 tlon of Arizona to have the impression
 go abroad that we of Arizona. or ou,