The Hawaiian gazette., 1918-07-05
.iNTERNMENT CAMP \
CAN BEESTAIB|LISHED
Head Of National Defense Com
mittee Writes That Hawaii
Has Right To Go Ahead

George Garner, Washington director
Of the National Defense Committee,
has written ex Governor Carter to the
effect that IInwaii may establish an
internment camp for alien enemies and
disloyal persons without permission
from Washington. Mr.. Garner gives
as an authority for this statement,
Gen. Frank A. Mcintyre, chief of the
bureau Of insular affairs
In his letter Mr.. Garner cites the
conditions which prevail in the Philip
pines, where an internment camp is
now established. He also says that
any action for internment in Hawaii
or shipment of undesirables to the
mainland for internment, may be tax
en- by the Governor, commander of the
Hawaiian department of the army, the
territorial government, the army, navy
or department of justice. The Wash
ingtOn chief highly commends the local
branch Of the Vigilance Corps for the.
work which has been accomplished here
in the past. Following is the com
munieatiOn:
Hon, George R. Carter,
"Honolulu, Hawaii.
"My Dear Governor letters
in regard to the demand in Hawaii
for an internment camp for enemy
aliens and disloyal persons, together
with the resolutions adopted by the
Hawaiian Vigilance Branch of the
American Defense Society, have been
of such interest and Importance that
have gone into the subject deeply,
and now write you what I get. Prob
ably, the situation is best and most
intelligently explained by Gen. Frank
| \. Mcintyre, chief Of the bureau of
insular affairs, whom you know, al
though his bureau, Of course, now has
nothing to do with Hawaii.
Can Go Right Ahead
| GAS he explains it, the government
of Hawaii 'can 60 right ahead and
establish an internment camp, itself,
without permission from Washington
or any action by the war department,
| the interior department or the depart
ment of Justice This was done in
the Philippines, be says, on order of
the governor general. although later
the Philippines found it more advis
/ able to send such persons to the
United States for iuternment. Porto
Rico, also, he adds has sent such I'm
dcsirablcs to the states, where they
have been interned.
"Should you not care to do this, he
says that the undertakes may be
shipped to the states on a transport,
one calling at Hawaii each month, and
be sent to Salt Lake City or some
other detention camp!
"Any action for internment in Ha.
waii or shipment to the states, he
says. may. be ordered by the Governor
or the commanding general in Hawaii
by the ltetritbrial government, the
army, the. navy or justice, any one of
them.
Up To Gregory
GAS to the department of justice, it
strikes me that you will get better
recognition by writing, yourself, on
behalf of the Vigilance Branch, direct
to Attorney General Gregory, on the
situation. Not that I shall not be glad
to take it up with him, but that CON
ditions will appeal more to him IL laid
before him, direct, by leading resi-
dent or group of residents of Hawaii
than if coming to him through q third
party, no matter how interested and
enthusiastic that third party may be.
I am thinking only Of the best way to
get results; that is what we want.
"Of course, the care Of dependents
of the undesjrables is somewhat of a
problem, but General Mcintyre has
faith that you will be able to solve it..
From what gather, you are doing
great work in Hawaii--and heaven
knows, such good work is needed in
every inch of United States territory.
, "In all probability, | shall have more
to write you in a day or so, and there
fore will not make this epistle too
long.
, "Please, be sure to let me know how
the Washington end of the Society
| can help the Hawaiian Branch as a
whole, or each and every member of
= it individually, on either ads or per
q nonal matters. I want you and your
| association to feel that you have A
personal representative here, as wei
as an American Defense Society rep
. resentative-and that / know to be the
I desire of the headquarters and the of
iccrs Of the society, also.
"With all best wishes to you, per
Z sonalIy and in your work, believe me
"COrdially and sincerely yours,
"GEORGE GARNER."