Evening star., 1941-12-10
2,303 Axis Nationals,
1927 Of Them Japs,
Held as j. ). Enemies
BiddIe Tells How F. B. |.
Acted Swiftly to Take
Aliens Into Custody
BY J. A. FOX.

BY J. A. FOX.
The Federal Bureau of Investiga-
ton has apprehended 2,3O3 Axis ma
tionals whose custody was considered
necessary for the safety of this coun-
try, Attorney General Biddle an
nounced today in disclosing some
details of the roundup of enemy
aliens. instituted after the japanese
attack on Hawaii
Striking swiftly, under pre-
arranged plans of long standing, the
Attorney General explained, the
Federal agents completed their task
in the United States within two
hours, and in Hawaii in three.
I'VE knew whom we wanted" Mr..
Biddle told press conference, at
which he reported 1921 japanese,
865 Germans and lat Italians were
being held.
New Bureau Planned.
The Attorney General disclosed At
the same time plans for setting up
a new bureau in the department
under Leo T. Crowley. chairman OF
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp,
to function along the lines of the
Alien Property Custodian in the last
war. and administer seized property
of Axis nationals.
OF the aliens held, the Attorney
General explained, some are listed
as dangerous" while others fall in
an uncertain category. But in every
case, he added, it was considered
'unwise" that they be left at large.
The department is maintaining
silence as to specific cases, but it
was reported today that Kurt Sell,
Washington representative for the
official German news agency. D.NB.,
was among l8 persons picked up
mere.
Some May Get Paroles.
Under the machinery devised by
the Justice and War Departments,
the preliminary custody of persons
apprehended will be in the Bureau
of immigration. Some are expected
eventually to be paroled, after hear
ing. and the rest will be turned over
to the War Department for deten-
ton until the end of hostilities. 1t
is expected to be Two or three weeks
before custody of any persons held
will pass to the War Department,
which is to exercise the same func-
ton in this respect as it did in the
last war.
The procedure to be followed in
these cases is based on the British
system. Mr. Biddle said Appeals
probably will be available in every
case where the alien asks. These
hearings. to be informal, will be
conducted by boards composed of
citizens in the communities where
the arrested alien resides. and the
recommendations will be passed on,
finally. by the Attorney General.
When aliens are paroled. they will
be required to report periodically TO
the Bureau of immigration.
Rights to Be Protected.
The Attorney General emphasized
that the rights of all aliens will
be safeguarded in strict accordance
with international law.
Concurrently, the Attorney Gen
eral repeated his admonition to
State and local authorities against
taking direct action afiainst sus-
pected aliens, emphasizing that
suspicious of subversive activities
should be communicated TO the F. B.
I. for action.
The defense of our country will
be hurt. not helped, by any persecu-
ton of our non-citizens." he said.
At the same time, it was made
clear that this Government ex-
pected the same consideration to be
| shown its nationals in enemy coun-
| tries.
The Attorney General also dis
closed that notices had been sent to
immigration authorities over the
country, calling attention to the law
which now will suspend for at least
90 days the naturalization of Ger
mans and Italians who, with the
japanese, have been catalogued as
"alien enemies" by presidential proc
lamation. japanese are not eligible
for naturaliza ton.
There are said to be about 100000
pending citizenship cases affected
by this law.
In announcing the selection OF
Mr. Crowley to organize the new dl-
vision in the department to deal
with patents and other property OF
Axis nationals, Attorney Genera
Biddle said the F. D. I. G. chairman
also will serve as his alternate on
the Economic Defense Board and as
Justice Department representative
on the Departmental Commit
tee. Mr.. Crowley will retain his
F. D. I. c. post. Some new leglsla-
ton may be needed to deal with
seized property, the Attorney Gen.
erai believes.
Defense Plants Guarded.
Mr.. Biddle said no reports OF
espionage or sabotage had been re-
ceived since Sunday, but that the
department is overlooking no bets
and additional precautions ere being
taken at defense plants.
Cranks are causing trouble, hi
said, relating two instances reported
from Baltimore.
Police were called in the after
noon and told that "air raiders Wer'
coming over Bethesda" while Radi'
f,-ov