The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-02-18
JAPANESE CITIZENS

Little is known through the
country OF the japanese citizen
problem in the United States. Visit
tors 10 the large cities, and even
residents Of those cities have little
accurate information. Orientals'
not entirely OF their own choice.
we must admit, are given TO segre-
cation among their kind. The indi-
viduals go about their daily pur-
suits quietly and usually without
giving ohense to their fellows.
This they have been allowed to DO
largely without interference or
questioning but now that their par
ent country has become an arcn
enemy, a lively curiosity concern
ing our adopted brothers is evident.
Not only members OF the +. &. /,
but people in general are wonder
ing what have been their prime
motives and loyalties as they have
so docilely availed themselves OF
the privilege OF citizenship.
one feature OF japanese sctiyi-
ties came to general public notice
directly after the Pearl Har-
Dor incident. Japanese-language
schools were closed in the west
coast communities. The incident
OF the closing was no more news
to the public than the knowledge
OF their existence which thus came
10 light
These schools had been open in
the off-hours of regular public
schools. including Saturdays. Now
there is talk OF opening them again,
and serious objection is being made
by white Americans who, in war
time see IN the schools themselves
& broad suggestion OF disloyalty.
The feeling OF the white Ameri-
cans Is based at least partly on
knowing that the IS textbooks or
dinarily in use in the language
schools came from Japan and are
authorized by the japanese govern
ment. II Is also generally believed
that the schools are subsidized In
other ways by the japanese gov
eminent. Teachers are invariably
alien japanese. and II is logically
supposed that the teaching relating
10 japanese culture includes to
some extent that OF loyalty TO the
Emperor Of Japan, as It does in
Japan.
The japanese boys and girls who
have peopled the schools not only
have seemed TO be well.behaved,
but actually were so. Juvenile court
records in Los Angeles County,
where centers the largest Japanese
colony in the United States, show
only l9 cases called to the atten-
tion OF juvenile probation officers in
the most recent catalogued year.
II has always been noticeable,
even 10 casual observer. that tbs
young Japanese-Americans (nisei if
they are OF the second generation;
sansei II they are OF the third) are
exceedingly tractable under disci-
pline. and that parental word and
control, though gentle. command
almost invariably absolute obedi-
ence. This applies from the tiny,
doll.like Kindergarten with the
black square hairbob and deep-set.
slanting eyes, TO the 1.-THE youngster
OF college age.
The filial obedience universal
enough 10 seem almost to be a
racial trait, seems actually Unborn.
Students Of such characteristics
doubtless would find a relationship
between this trait and the ancestor
reverence which eliminates in
what amounts to worship OF the
emperor OF Japan and his ances.
tors.
One of the chief reasons given
I for existence OF the japanese Ian
guage schools is that young Japa-
Veterinarians have IN the past
been rigidly barred from Jobs for
which their American education
fts them, solely because Of their
race. This makes II necessary for
them 10 know the japanese Ian.
guage.
japanese school buildings are not
usually landmarks. like the public
schools. They are more likely TO be
on back street in the towns,
inconspicuous in a clump OF euca.
lyptus trees II they are in the
country. Their japanese sponsors
seemed to have been aware. even
in the days OF peace in the Pacific
that such institutions must be
looked at askance by their white
neighbors.
In the days when they were
operating. especially during those
tense months when internationa
relations were deteriorating towart
an open break, the Japanese Ian
guage schools flew the United
States flags whenever weather wa.
fair. Large framed pictures D
Washington and Lincoln were, al
usual, conspicuously present In tn,
classrooms.
Glasses OF pupils in a Japanes,
language school could-and fire
quently did-recite the American
Salute TO the Flag with the &C
curacy and apparent fervor .
white American youngsters.
War conditions will expose TIL
true story OF the Japanese-Ameri
can stewardship as a citizen. Their,
may be testimony OF real patriotism
as well as perhdy. but there vii
also be proof OF deception and wei
concealed intelligence seryice