The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-02-26
by JAMES r. YOUNG

CuOulu american DOIu JdpdHcht
and japanese aliens loyal to this
country return now to the West
Coast from their present Atlantic
Coast and Midwest wartime loca.
tione
In many cities welfare groups,
educators and business men are
stirring unfortunate animosity aud
unnecessary community friction.
They may prolong a peaceful set.
tlemcnt of the explosive racial, re
ligious and economic issues inyoly.
ed. They may hinder a mutual
understanding in the future when
thousands of American born Japa-
nese attempt a mass return 10 the
PcCiic Coast.
have been pressed for a positive
answer as to an immediate policy
affecting a WRA camp population
Of 10000, ! am asked point blank
II the thousands already re-settled
in Chicago, Denver, Des Moines,
Boston, New York, Cleveland and
elsewhere should return now to
their former West Coast homes.
Until military Security is assur-
ed believe japanese Americans
and loyal alien japanese should
remain inland
Among those holding contrary
beliefs are some religious workers
and educators who do not know
the military eXigencies. They are
inviting unimaginable difficulties
in urging immediate return to the
coast until the war is won.
\ few Japanese Americans in
Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Colorado and
New England, have found less pre-.
judice than in Pacific Coast sec
lions. They are treated as equals
in small town schools and civic
groups. They are not called by the
despised nickname "skibbie'.
Those who demand that'the Japa-
nese. must be moved back now to
their West Coast farms and truck
gardens, TO their fishing fleets and
their stores fail to take cUgnizance
of recent race clashes with other
groups, or possible action by under
ground yigilantes of the old West,
and likely fights in repossession of
their property now rented by
others.
II riots and bloodshed ever
should develop. Radio Tokyo, on
orders from Sadao Iguchi, foreign
office spokesman who knows the
power of japanese broadcasts,
corld make a single announcement
which might result in retaliation
to American military and civilian
prisoners of war
Perhaps some Americans have
forgotten the poisonous propagan-
da put out by the japanese consuls
in San Francisco and LOS Angeles
q few years ago over land right
fights in Arizona; how the Jana
nese nation was fed newspaper and
radio reports on the "ani-Japanese
feeling in this country.
The WRA centers will close by
the end of this year
The Department OF Justice, |
hope, will control the 10000 or
more Japs cat Tule Lake. many Of
whom have signified their loyalty
TO the Emperor OF Japan My be-
lief is that several thousand al
ready outside Tule Lake have OBJ
tanned their freedom through one.
sided investigations.
Ten days ago a raid a. Tule Lake
revealed records OF Japanese sec
ret organizations and a Japanese
flag belonging TO the Hokuku Sein.
cndan. a subversivc Black Dragon
type gangstcr outfit.
Social service workers claim that
the japanese released from WRA
centers have been tested for their
loyalty.
The fact Is, the Federal Bureau
of Investigation does not pass upon
the loyalty Of those released. It is
not within the jurisdiction Of the
FIJI to do so
4 few religious leaders and col
lege deans, unfamiliar with cur
rently dangerous military condi-
tions are building prematurely the
fires Of hate and community unrest.
How can they take chances on be-
ing hoodwinked by Japanese
youths who may be a special front
for vicious and unidentified forces
inside relocation centers? Are
they better informed than the
Navy. Coast Guard and Army
commands?
II and when West Coast reloca-
ton resumes on large scale.
would insist that O. Shintn and
Buddhist priests be prohibited; t2l
no Japanese schools operate: (5)
Kendo and judo. Japanese fencing
and wrestling he banned: 90 so
cial' club branches OF the Black
Dragon society he curtailed and