Evening star., 1941-12-08

Journalist Arrested
Here; 200 Others Are
Seized in New York
Moving swiftly and quietly, Fed
eral Bureau of Investigation agents
have taken into custody at least
200 Japanese. including at least
one prominent resident of the
Capital. Attorney General Biddle
announced that President Roosevelt
has authorized by proclamation the
arrest Of japanese nationals re-
garded as dangerous TO the peace
and security of the United States
Most of those arrested were taken
in custody in New York.
Before darkness had fallen last
night. the F. B. l. had removed
Kiyoshi K. KaWakami, Widely-knoWn
Journalist and author, from his
Washington home Early today he
made a brief phone call to his
American-born wife from Union
Station, she told The Star. The
wife quoted him as saying he was
being taken out of town 10 an
unknown destination.
United States Attorney Edward NJ
Curran, after a conference with JUS
tice Department officials for nearly
an hour called in his assistants last
night and announced his Office will
be open on 24-hour day basis TO
deal with enemy aliens.
$4,000 japanese Registered.
While about SO 900 japanese regis
tered under the alien registration
law last year, the Justice Depart
ment estimated that fewer than
1000 would be affected by the pres
idential order. The Associated Press
reported that arrest of all japanese
nationals around the Norfolk VA
naval base was ordered by Col.
Charles B. Borland, Norfolk director
of public safety. Arrests were re-
ported in Portsmouth and Suffolk,
Va. In San Francisco, the entire
F. B. I. staff was "mobilized for
anything"
The immigration Service now has
1000 Italians and Germans in de-
tention camps in Montana and
North Dakota. 1t has been arrang-
ing purchase Of West Coast camp
and has tentatively chosen sites for
flve otherS-which could be built
in 80 days-in Florida, Georgia and
Alabama.
In Washington a Star reporter
was on hand when two husky young
F. B. 1. agents raped smartly at
1929 Morrison street NV. shortly
after 6 pm. Mrs. Mildred Clarke
Kawakami. wife of the japanese
writer on Far Eastern affairs. an
swered the call. The two merely
said they wanted to see her hus-
band.
She invited them in and they
took a seat on the living room
divan beside a small figure of a
Japanese warrior in ancient battle
regalia. On wall nearby hung a
large portrait of a pretty japanese
girl.
Taken Into Custody.
A few moments later Mr.. Kawa-
kami came downstairs, slight,
pleasant t-appearing man of 66. Some
what Stoop-shouldered, he peered
through his heavy shell-rimmed
glasses with a quizzical expression
on his face at the two young men
and the newspaper reporter and
photographer there.
do you mind stepping back here
moment?" one of the agents said.
leading Mr. Kawakami to the rear
of a narrow hall.
The low, tense conversation that
followed was easily heard in the
dead quiet of the house.
We're from the Federal Bureau
of Investigation" one of the men
said. 1--WE want you to come with
us a while. We don't know how
long it will be. We just want to
talk to you at the Justice Depart
ment."
Mr.. Kawakami hurried around to
find his hat and coat. His face ap-
peared lined with worry. In a few
moments he was gone, the F. B. I.
agents on either side holding his
arms.
His tall, white-haired wife, born
in Momence, ILL.,, was left alone with
her daughter, Miss Marcia Kawa-
kami, one of their three children
Next door lives their son, Clarke H.
Kawakami, 80, correspondent here
for Domei News Agency of Japan.
"Hewas very much against war
between the two countries" Mrs
Kawakami said quietly. He has
worked for peace all his life. What
do they want him for? What do
you think they'll do to him?"
Quit Osaka Paper.
She said her husband used to be
correspondent here for Mainichi, a
newspaper in Osaka, Japan, but quit
them several months ago because
he disagreed with their views.
"Was it because the paper had a
belligerefr attitude toward the
United States?" she was asked.
Il don't know. You'll have to ask
him"
What did he think about Japan's
attitude toward this country and
China?"
He was always for peace" Dry
eyed, she answered the questions al