The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-11-18

De Witt and the result was that the
General for this and other reasons
made the decision TO move all Jap
anese. This action marked the
first time in American history that
American citizens were deprived OF
their civilian rights by the Gov
eminent solely on account OF race
The author points out that race
was the determining factor since
German and Italian aliens and citi-
zens were never in any danger OF
this same type Of treatment
Mr., McWilliams contends that
California has been waging her
own private war with Japan since
the last years Of the 10th century.
Although relations between our
two nations were friendly during
this period. California urged and
succeeded in causing the country to
pass legislation excluding Japanese
immigrants and denying citizenship
to residents Of this country. The
press on the West Coast has for the
most part followed the line OF the
anti-Japanes agitators. Japan at last
began to manipulate the situation
to her own advantage and used the
California agitation TO whip up
anti-American sentiment among
her people. Thus the anti-Japanese
campaign has been a two-edged
sword and has reacted TO this
countrys discredit in the field OF
Japanese-American relations and
has victimized the japanese resi-
dents OF our West Coast.
The effects on the japanese who
were evacuated are vividly told by
Mr.. McWilliams. The War Reloca-
ton Authority has done a good job
but there have been many physical
hardships which the evacuees have
had TO face. Most OF them have
accepted their lot without too much
grumbling although the crowdng
and the type OF life in the resettle-
ment centers have brought into the
open many OF the inter-group con-
fiicts which beset the Japanese
Americans The American born
Japanese. the Nisei. will perhaps be
able 10 gain something from the
experience. To date 81 per cent OF
the Nisei who were informed have
been released. The Issei or immi-
grant generation have been more
reluctant TO leave the centers for
fear OF what they will face and
their problems are more acute to-
day for this reason. Many OF the
Nisei are serving this country on
the battlefronts and their record Is
a glowing one.
Mr.. McWilliams believes the So
luton TO the Japanese American
tproblem is that Of all minority
groups: Cd federal policy on race
relations which would guarantee
the rights OF all citizens; CD a new
federal civil-riohts statute In the
form OF a Fair Racial Practices Act
(3) removal Of every vestige OF
racism from our immigration and
naturalization codes; (D creation
OF a federal agency TO deal with
the problam. Mr.. McWilliams
points out that the West Coast Is
an integral part Of the Pacific area
and that we must not let "a foe
OF prejudice obscure our relation
ship to the momentous develop
ments which now impend In the
Pacific"
AS the author points out, minor
ity groups In this country are com
ing 10 see the INTERPRETATION OF their
problems. Many Negroes like the
whites OF this country were caught
unaware by the sudden and un'
precedented evacuation OF Jap
anese-Americans. Mr. McWilliam.
is doing America and her minority
groups. in particular, true service
by showing that all these are only
parts OF one big race problem. The
South supports California In IL:
anti-Japanese agitation because Il
sees the connection. prejudice" II
a book rncked with facts; In it are
named the groups. me newspapers
the individuals who have worked
so consistently against the jap
anese.Araericans Mr.. McWilliam'
writes without animus but the fact'
are clear and he does not hesitate
!. 10 indict those who have contrib
uted 10 this un- American program
aimed rrst al the Chinese and late
AT the Japanese on our West Coast
: This Is a book which no American
interested in the future OF his coun
: try can afford 10 miss.
: Prejudice Jspanese-Arer-
|, leans. SyrrboI o. Psc'.l IntoIer-
snce nv Carey Mcwiiiiars; TIT
: tie. prowr prd Company; Bos-
ton. 1914; $500.