Imperial Valley press., 1945-01-02
RETURN OF JAPANESE
(San Barnardino SUM

(San Bernardino SUM
Japanese, both American-born and
Japan-born will soon be returning to
a state where the vast majority OF the
people do not want them.
The War department has issued the
order resembling the exclusion OF all per-
sons of japanese ancestry from racine
coast military zones on the ground rea-
sons of military security that originally
called for their expulsion no longer exist.
The War Relocation Authority, which
has charge over the Japs, is presumably
anxious to relocate very considerable
number of them in California.
Just where the War Relocation Author
ity is to secure the housing is not quite
clear. Presumably many houses in this
state are still owned by American-born
Japs. And also it is probable that some
of them are occupied either by war-work-
ers or by soldiers families. Perhaps the
returning Japs will want them evlcted.
Possibly the War Relocation Authority
may build new homes for them.
There are other possible incidents that
NAV disturb many communities III Call
fornia But the people of this state must
not be unduly disturbed. The United
States government has made this decision
and there can be no doubt, IN view OF the
popular dissatisfaction in California over
the situation, that the order was not Is
sued without knowledge and approval
of persons in very high office, as we'll as
by the military itself.
This is a democracy. Our representa-
tive government has decided the maj Or
itv of the people of California who op-
pose the return of the Japs are wrong.
There is no appeal, since the supreme
court has already indicated the Constitu-
ton stands, war or no war.
Californians have right to continue
to voice their verbal disapproval and to
debate the issues as long as they desire.
But Californans do not have the right
to take matters in their own hands, as
some individuals threaten to do. If any
did. they would violate the principles OF
a democracy that requires its citizens to
submit to the orderly processes OF gov
ernment.
We have no doubt there are loyal
American citizens among persons of Jap
anese descent. We do have doubt that
anv formula has been set up that can
determine which are loyal and which are
disloyal. But the Army itself and the
War Relocation Authority have taken
over that job We hope they know what
they are doing. We hope no more slg-
mails are flashed from California shores
TO Jap submarines and we hope no mill
tary installations are the object of sabo-
tage.
The War Relocation board, in its zeal
to sell the cause of patriotic japanese,
has gone to questionable lengths with its
propaganda. There is in existence, for
instance, an elaborate brochure telling
OF the exploits of the Tooth battalion and
other Japanese-Amercan units.
This practice has aroused resentment
among friends and relatives of members
of other battalions that have made just
as important contributions to the war
effort but in salute of which there are no
brochures. We gladly salute the Japan
ese-Americans who have done such pa
triotic service on the field of battle, but
we question the wisdom of any agency OF
government that select them for honors
in excess of those who come to other
equally important units.
California generally think the govern
ment should keep all japanese IN war
relocation centers until after the war.
But that is not the decision. And the sad
part of it is that the decision was dellb-
erately delayed until after the recent
election.