Evening star., 1942-02-20
Order Believed
Aimed at Jap
Sympdthiizers
Moy Be Intended for
West Coast, but Con
Be Applied Anywhere
BY JOHN C. HENRY.

President Roosevelt late today
made public an executive order
authorizing the Secretary of War
to exercise complete jurisdiction
regarding residence or move
ment of any individuals in pre-
scribed areas Of the United
States.
So broad was the power thus
granted that the War Department
will be permitted to forbid entrance
or remove from residence any indi-
viduals. citizens or otherwise, in
areas which at any time may be con-
sidered potential battlefronts or
where greatest caution against es-
pionage and sabotage is deemed
necessary.
An initial application Of these
powers is believed imminent on the
West Coast where many American
born Japanese live.
Oficials said the order did not
constitute application of martial
law, but it appeared to be only a
step short Of it.
Attorney General Biddle said later
at press conference that the Army
told him it does not contemplate
designating any military areas ex-
cept on the West Coast.
Although the War Department Is
planning to evacuate many Japa-
nese residents in military areas. it
does not plan to move any consid-
cradle number of American citizens
of German or Italian origin.
Those evacuated from the military
areas will retain all their legal
rights, including that of habeas
corpus, the Attorney General said.
Can Provide Food and Shelter.
Since a great number of the jap
anese in that area are technically
American citizens their movements
and their continued residence thus
far have not been subject to regu-
lation under alien control powers.
The order declares that successful
prosecution of the war requires
every possible protection against es-
pionage and sabotage of defense
works.
Specifically. the order authorities
and directs the Secretary Of War or
any military commanders whom the
Secretary might designate to define
the prescribed areas and to deter
mine the degree of restriction which
is to be enforced on any or all lndl-
viduals within those areas
The Secretary of War is author
lied further to provide for residents
who may be excluded from their
home areas such transportation,
food, shelter and such other accom-
modations as may be necessary. The
order has virtually all the military
controls inherent in state of mar
tial law.
Use of Federal troops and the IA
cilities of all other Federal instru-
mentaIties is authorized, plus per-
mission to accept assistance Of State
and local agencies. All Federal
agencies are specifically directed to
make any necessary facilities avail
able to the War Department. in
cluding the furnishing of medical
aid, food, clothing, transportation
and use of land or shelter.
Could Apply to East Coast.
This authorization to the War De-
partment, the order states, does not
modify the responsibility of the Fed
eral Bureau of Investigation in the
Justice Department for combating
sabotage and controlling aliens, ex-
cept in the military areas where
Army responsibility henceforth is
to be complete.
Although there Is well-founded be-
lief that the order was issued at
this time for initial operation on
the West Coast, it could be applied
with equally total effect on the At
lantic Seaboard if conditions of war
warrant.
The order was signed by Presi-
dent Roosevelt yesterday afternoon.
but the White House explained
that its PRONUNCIATION had been de-
layed until today at request of the
War Department. 1t was believed
that the department desired to be
in complete readiness to act as soon
as it received the authority. e.