The Northwest times. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1947-1955, 1949-10-05
BRITISH WHITES ONLYPOLICY
HITTING NISEI HELD AS INSULT
BY OUR JACL IN STIFF PROTEST

Regimental Combat Team, an all
Japanese American unit, fought in
many engagements alongside the
british. at times aiding them in
some of the hitterest battles of the
italian campaigns.
time Prime Minister Win
Ston Churchill singled out the 442nd
for special mention because of its
distinguished service. When King
George VI visited Italy ON an in
Spection trip during the war, he Sc
lected as his honor guard a unit
composed entirely OF Nisei troops
of the 442nd.
In the Pacific iheater OF Opera
tions. the service OF Japanese Ameri-
can troops was, perhaps, even more
vital to the British. The Nisei served
as front line intelligence troops by
the thousands, attached to every
type of British fighting unit.
In all theaters where the Nisei
served alongside or with the British,
thousands died in combat.
To-day. hundreds of these for
mer combat and intelligence men
are stationed IN Japan. in both
military and civilian capacities.
serving primarily as interpreters,
translatorS or administrative per-
sonnet for the Army of Occupa-
ton.
British troops in Japan frequent
ly utilize their services.
in addition to the invaluable SER
vice, often at the cost of their lives,
he u S. Nisei gave the British dur
ing the war, the British Common
wealth also received distinguished
wartime aid from Canadian Japan
csc who fought as exemplary soldiers.
I'm the light of the past. the attl-
tude of BCOF in Japan is a heart
less commentary upon IA nation that
would call upon men OF all faiths
and races to lay down their lives
in its defense during war but in time
of peace callously decide that some
men are now not worthy of equality
of consideration because of the color
| of their skin.
we call upon you to use your
good offices To rcctify this situation.
We ask that BCOF in Japan operate
It's facilities where American troops
are concerned, in the same demo-
cratic fashion that the u. s. army
extends privileges to British troops"
The letters to Secretaries Johnson
and Gray, and Gen. Macarthur.
read.
Recently we were advised that
BCOF hotels IN Japan operate ON a
caucasian only policy in extending
rest leave privileges to American
forces stationed in that country.
"On the ether hand, American
rest hotels in Japan extend the
same privileges to British troops
without regard to the race, creed
or color of the British soldier who
visits u u. 5. hotel.
I'VE realize that the United States
army has no jurisdiction over the
internal policies Of the British Com
monwcalth of Occupation Forces IN
Japan and thus cannot order any
change in this race-cOnsclouS policy.
Nevertheless, we feel the United
States certainly could take some
acknowledging the privilege of
visiting its hotels to any members
of the British armed forces in Japan
until and unless BCOF withdraws
its arbitrary color policy as applied
to American personnel.
During the war Americans OF
japanese, Chinese and Korean am
ceStry, and Negro troops served
| capably. frequently with distinction,
in a global conflict that was impair
lial in its defense of the United
Nations They died equally that
Britain might survive as well as the
United States.
"Thc all-Japancsc American
| 142nd RegimentaI Combat Team
in Italy was singled out for spc-
ciaI mention by winston Church
ILL., and provided an honor Guard
for King George vi on his visit
to Italy. Nisci troops served gal
lantly alongside the British as in
telligence unit i'm the Pacific.
We have advised the National
Association for the Advancement OF
Colored People Of the situation that
exists i'm Japan and have asked
them to Join with us in protest of
| the raeist British attitude.
I'VE also urge that you exercise
YOUR authority in closing all U S.
rest hotels TO the British until such
time as BCOF opens its hotels TO
American personnel without regard
/ TO race color or creed Such action
would be a positive extension of the
newly non discrimina-