1938: Convention plans and the Hirota remark on Nisei citizenship

Vol. 10, No. 18, March 1938. 4 pages. View this issue

Plans for the fifth biennial JACL national convention in Los Angeles, set for September 1 to 5, led this four-page issue. The program centered on the Second Generation Development Project, with an oratorical contest on “Nisei Problems and their Solution through Active Citizenship.” A second thread ran through the front page and editorials: a mistranslated remark by Foreign Minister Hirota about educating the second generation. National President James Y. Sakamoto explained the League’s position, and Yoichi Matsuda wrote a letter answering a Seattle Post-Intelligencer editorial.

Chapter news fills the rest. Alameda held a good-will dinner with Senator William Knowland, Stockton elected Stuart Nakano as its 1938 head, and Florin took up school segregation. Puyallup Valley, Portland, Yakima and Seattle also reported on dinners, programs and delegation drives. Seattle leaders discussed a Community Center building, and a wage dispute delayed the Alaska salmon cannery season.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Plans Speeded Up to Welcome Great National Session, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Preparations for the fifth biennial JACL convention in Los Angeles, September 1 to 5, are advancing with a revised program emphasizing the Second Generation Development Project. The oratorical contest topic, rules, and social events including a queen contest and outing are also outlined.
• An Inspiring Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial encourages chapters to send large delegations to the Los Angeles national convention, which will crystallize the year’s activities. It emphasizes the value of sharing experiences across chapters.
• Seattle Boosting Gathering at L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Seattle chapter launched a campaign to send its largest-ever delegation to the Los Angeles national convention, with nearly 20 members planning to attend. Social fundraising events were planned to support the delegation.

Community

• Los Angeles JACL Helps Raise Fund for Flood Relief, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Los Angeles JACL chapter is collecting donations to support Red Cross flood relief efforts, having donated $25 itself. Local Japanese farm operators reported they did not need assistance, and funds will go to the authorities.
• Seattle Scouts Give Circus Act; League Chapter Aids Movement, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seattle Japanese boy scouts planned their annual circus at the University of Washington Pavilion to raise funds for a growing scouting program. The League chapter supported the effort, and the circus featured thirteen acts.
• Hail to Alameda, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial praises the Alameda chapter’s good-will dinner and Senator Knowland’s address on citizenship. It stresses that citizenship extends beyond voting into everyday life and that loyalty is singular.
• Furo Kai Dolls Festival Tea Held at Seattle, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Fuyo Kai, a women’s student group at the University of Washington, held a dolls festival tea at the Women’s University Club in Seattle. Lillian Fujihira chaired the event, which received illustrated coverage in Seattle newspapers.
• Florin to Act on School Situation, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Florin JACL chapter is pursuing an end to the segregation of Oriental pupils in local public schools, a system in place for fifteen years. A committee was appointed to study the question and report back.
• Alameda Launches Year’s Work With Good-Will Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Alameda JACL held a good-will dinner attended by nearly 100 people, including Senator William Knowland, who spoke on citizenship. The chapter also outlined its officers, committees, and program of events for the year.
• Nakano Is Named as 1938 Head by Stockton Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Stockton JACL chapter elected Stuart Nakano as its 1938 leader along with other officers. The chapter also planned a spring dance and pledged cooperation with the local Japanese Association.
• Los Angeles Leaguers Win Praise Over Work for Conservation, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Los Angeles JACL’s Conservation Week drew praise, with Boy Scout Troop 145 winning most prizes and Haruye Kodama taking the grand prize. Dr. M. M. Horii, the program chairman, credited the success to many volunteers and plans were made to repeat it next year.
• Puyallup Valley Chapter Presents Dinner and Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Puyallup Valley JACL held its annual dinner dance with a record crowd, featuring the presentation of charters by National President Sakamoto. Sports commentator Elliott Metcalf spoke on amateur sports and character building.
• Portland Has Fixed Program of Events, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Portland JACL cabinet under President Wakasugi outlined its program for the year. Planned events include a basketball tournament, membership campaign, fundraising movie for convention delegates, and a tenth anniversary celebration.
• Part of Japanese Room Is Presented to U of W Museum, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A portion of a Japanese room, including a tokonoma, was donated to the University of Washington museum by the Society for International Cultural Relations of Tokio. The Fuyo Kai and Japanese Students Club assisted in the dedication tea.
• Citizens Council Launches Plan to Halt Delinquency, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Seattle JACL Citizens Council launched a study of juvenile delinquency, and Judge William G. Long commended the Japanese community’s low delinquency rate. He urged continued vigilance and praised the Boy Scout movement as a character-building force.
• Yakima Chapter Has Its Annual Banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Yakima Valley JACL held its annual banquet and dance with prominent guests from Seattle and the district. Entertainment included vocal and piano solos.
• Seattle Launches Plan on Building, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Seattle community leaders are considering a Community Center building with a proposed auditorium, stage, and meeting rooms at an estimated cost of $50,000. A planning committee was authorized to pursue the campaign.
• Workers in Clash for Higher Wages, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A wage dispute between Alaska salmon cannery operators and unions delayed the season’s opening for several weeks after operators sought a 10 percent wage cut. Governor Martin asked the federal Department of Labor to intervene, and a mediator was sent to Seattle.

National

• Justice to Hawaii Is Asked by Judd, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Former Hawaii Governor Lawrence Judd argued in Seattle that the sugar refining restrictions imposed by Congress unfairly discriminate against Hawaii’s industry. He noted Hawaii’s significant role as a customer of mainland products.
• Japan-U.S. North Pacific Fishing Clash Ends; Concessions in Tokio, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japan agreed to suspend its three-year salmon fishing survey in Alaska waters and to issue no further fishing licenses there. The U.S. State Department acknowledged the settlement as resolving a long-standing dispute over salmon spawned in American waters.
• Policy Explained in Statement for Young Generation, by James Y. Sakamoto, page 1. JACL National President James Y. Sakamoto clarified that American-born Japanese are legally American citizens who acknowledge only U.S. citizenship. He responded to a mistranslated remark by Foreign Minister Hirota about educating the second generation as Japanese.

Commentary

• Insuring Our Status, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial argues that the Hirota misinterpretation incident may yield benefits, such as prompting more second-generation expatriation from Japanese citizenship. It urges young people to firmly settle their American citizenship status.
• Seattle Post-Intelligencer Editorial: Claims Too Much, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer questioned whether American-born Japanese are Americans or Japanese in response to Foreign Minister Hirota’s remarks. The editorial prompted a reply from the Japanese community.
• Japanese View, by Yoichi Matsuda, page 2. Yoichi Matsuda, a Seattle resident born in Japan, writes a letter to the Post-Intelligencer arguing that second-generation Japanese Americans are proud Americans shaped by American schooling and values. He notes that race prejudice still denies them a fair chance to prove their loyalty.

Obituaries

• Fujioka, Prominent World War Veteran, Passes at Reedley, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Suichi Fujioka, a 49-year-old World War veteran and active Reedley JACL member, died and was honored with funeral services. He served as sergeant-at-arms of the Reedley American Legion Post.

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