Evening star., 1942-03-23
japanese in BroziI

oCiAooVAOlloV lCpOl 10 VI q eASouClS
Japanese fifth-column plot are
front-page features in the Brazilian
press. Rumors of such activities
have been in circulation for some
time, but the government hither-
to has frowned upon their publi-
cation. Now the story has been re-
leased by the official agency which
controls the press in that author
itatively ruled country. So the gov
ernment obviously wishes the Bra
lillian people to be aware OF the
danger.
The plot is said to have been barred
by Brazilian citizen of Japanese
parentage-a "Nisei," as the Jap
anese term person born in foreign
land of Japanese blood. The report
states that Japanese immigrants had
Systematically acquired strategically
placed land and properties, had
secretly amaSsed arms, including
heavy artillery, and were organized
in storm troops under command of
disguised army officers. Meanwhile,
japanese fishing fleets, under the
guidance of naval officers, had ex-
plored the coasts and prepared land
ing bases. In the state of Sac Paulo
alone, Is 900 storm troops were ready
to seize factories and railways, cut
communications and disrupt power
and water facilities. Similar action
was to be taken in other states, while
the remote Amazon Valley was to be
declared a New Japan.
All this has a familiar ring to
American readers who have perused
the recent Dies report on japanese
activities on the Pacific Coast and in
Hawaii. Everywhere the japanese
appear to be a refractory and dis
loyal element, the apt tools of an
Unsuitable imperialism scheming
literally for worldwide dominion.
Yet those Brazilian revelations are
of special interest, because the Jap
aneSe there have displayed notable
ingratitude. In most other countries,
including our own, japanese immi-
grants have not been overly welcome
and have suffered from social dis
elimination. Brazil, on the contrary,
is land where racial equality is a
popular ideal, and the first japanese
immigrants were received with
friendly appreciation of their quail
tiles of hard work and thrift.
Delighted with this reception,
large-Scale immigration ensued. 1t
was carried out largely by colonial
ton companies which purchased
tracts of land and furnished immi-
grants specially trained for their
surroundings. Beginning in 1908,
and getting under way after the last
war, nearly 100000 japanese settled
in Brazil, and their settlements
rapidly grew and prospered.
Nevertheless, Brazil was increas-
ingly disillusioned. These Japanese
refused to fit into the Brazilian con-
cept OF the melting pot" Every
where they held aloof, an obviously
alien element which disturbed the
national life by their aggressiveness,
clanniShnesS and sharp practices.
Some years ago the Brazilian gov
ernment decided to check the influx
by establishing a drastic immigration
quota, despite the vigorous protests
Of Toxic. The current revelations
show that Brazil was we'll advised.
The Japanese element, including
Nisei, must today number at least
$50, 000-strategically placed to make
the maximum trouble. 1t may we'll
be that Brazil will have to follow our
example on the Pacific Coast and
remove their Japanese settlers to
places where they can do no harm.
The potential danger is too serious
to be overlooked.