The Nome nugget., 1944-02-07

is quite generally known that the Alaska War Council has been urging with all the eloquence and logic at it's command the abolishment of the ab- surd restrictions travel to and from and within the Territory of Alaska opening step in re- lieving the Territory of the rksome military re- strictions resulting from it's classification bat area.
 Recently General Buckner of the Alaska De fense Command issued proclamation purporting to alleviate travel control annoyance and doubt less with his tongue in his cheek, gave out press releases stating that travel to and from and with in Alaska would now be much easier
 AS matter of fact the proclamation accom- plishes such purpose but serves, instead as one more example of the tendency of those in whose hands autocratic power has been placed to per petuate that power long after the emergency re- sponsible for it having been granted has ceased to exist
 Not single yard of the red tape which has been harassing Alaskan businessmen, annoying all those desirous of entering leaving the Territory and generally disrupting Alaskan travel has been unwound. So far travel within the Territory is concerned, careful reading of this proclamation reveals that in certain added restrictions have been put ln force
 
 ground for such situation, with regard to any portion of the Territory fo Alaska this side of the Aleutians True, Alaska may yet be bombed by Japanese plane, shelled by Japanese naval craft The same is true of Seattle. It is also true that no one may guarantee that the moon may not fall and obliterate the earth None of these contingencies seem within the real of present pos abilities, and people come and go at will in the Puget Sound area.
 It is time that the large force of clerks, fin ger print experts photographers and stenographers now engaged in making up rogue's gallery rec ord of everyone who desires to enter or leave Alas ka released for some activity which has to do with winning war. It is also time that the husky lads in uniform who tell passengers aboard Alaska ships whether not they may come ashore took their rifles and went looking for Jap in- stead of being delegated to- annoy the travelling public for discernibe reason except the whim. If an army officer. With very little complaint and, in the main, admirable restraint and patriotism, Alaskans have submitted to such indignties as personal search examination Of baggage confscation of liquor le- gally purchased, refusal of shore leave in Alaskan ports, costly delays in necessary travel, the cen Forship of their personal and business mail-in short, all the petty annoyances which could be de- Vised in the name of Alaska defense
 Much of ii indefensble from the begin ning-all of ii is now an outrageous infringement on the rights and liberties of American citizens which is utterly unjustfied by any denonstrable military necessity. @e If General Buckner offer anything other than such generalities applicable the entire Pacific coast in justification for stringent travel "onrol and for the censorship Of Alaska mail Alas }yans would like to have and are entitled to have he benefit of his knowledge
 Insofar any informed Alaskan knows no part of the Territory this side of the Aleutians ranks as 2 combat area in any larger measure than do the States of the Pacific Coast and the treatment ac- corded Alaska, therefore constitutes rank dscrim- isn+inn .--fA1aska yUaekly)
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