The Northwest times. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1947-1955, 1949-11-12

Commonwealth of Occupation
Use of their facilities by cauca
to L. s. troops of japanese an
In letter to the Australian
government. the JACL Ado said
that unless such discriminatory
action SIS rectified, this natter
should be brought before the Com
mission on Human Rights In the
United Nations.
The letters were submitted to the
Australian government after similar
appeals to the United Kingdom TO
end the discriminatory practices OF
BCOF forces were answered with the
brief observation that BCOF policies
in Japan were directed by Australia.
In a note to the Australian gov
eminent, Mike Masaoka. national
JACL ADO legislative representative.
wrote, in part:
ut Is neither the policy nor de-
sire of this organization to examine
into the internal affairs of another
nation However, when Canother
country's) policies affect American
citizens who are members of tthe
JACL), then. in the name of simple
justice and human dignity, we are
forced to act.
THE policies of the British
Commonwealth of Occupation For
ces in Japan. directed by Australia,
are such as to deny facilities, open
to caucasian American citizens and
soldier occupation personnel, to
Americans Of Japanese ancestry
serving In the same capacity.
Specifically, in Hiroshima, Am
erican research workers (of Japan
csc ancestry are faced with racial
discrimination officially practiced by
Australian occupation troops.
I'VE have been advised of other
specific instances in which Ameri-
can personnel of Japanese ancestry
have been denied admission to Aus
tralian- operated institutions in Jap
an. although caucasian Americans
are welcome.
Many of those same American
Japanese now so CURLY denied faci-
Titles by Australia. served with the
Allied Translator and Interpreter
Service during the war. This is the
organization officially commended
by King George when he bestowed
upon 1t the Order of the British
Empire and stated that the intelli-
gence supplied (by Ats from
enemy prisoners and documents was
of great value to operations in this
(the Southwest Pacific area as well
as all other theaters of war
Nov. of course, the bitter war is
over. Australia is no longer fighting
for her freedom and existence.
Thanks. In no small measure, to the
gallantry of Americans of Japanese
ancestry who served so faithfully
with Australian and American units.
your government has emerged sue
cessfully from the war.
But we feel IL Is a bitter COM
mentary upon the Australian sense
of Justice that those who served
her In time of need now are the
objects Of her prejudice and dis
elimination
I'VE are calling this matter to the
attention of our own State Depart
ment. We also feel that unless this
situation is rectified. 1t should be
brought before the Commission on
Human Rights in the United Nat
ions"
Copies of the letter we're delivered
through Australian Ambassador Nor
man J. Oswald Maxim, and Prime
Minister Joseph B. Chifley, as well
as Secretary of State Dean Ache
son. At the same time, Secretary
Acheson was asked to use your
good offices in urging Australia to
rectify this situation. a task we are
sure can be accomplished if this ma
ton will take official cognizance Of
the irritation and humiliation which