Vol. 12, No. 48, December 1940. 18 pages. View this issue
Christmas greetings to JACL members from public figures opened the December 1940 issue. Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox and President Franklin D. Roosevelt both wrote on the front page, and Knox praised citizens of Japanese descent for joining the national defense effort. Page 18 carried more messages, from Washington Governor Clarence D. Martin, Stanford president Ray Lyman Wilbur, Arizona Governor R. T. Jones and University of Washington president L. P. Sieg, along with a holiday message from JACL President Saburo Kido on the $100,000 fundraising campaign.
Other pages looked at the draft and the year ahead. Mutsuye Kawanami’s story followed a Nisei couple facing induction, Kay Nishida wrote about Nisei coming of voting age, and Goro Murata described life for Nisei in Tokyo. Walter T. Tsukamoto’s legal forum answered readers on citizenship and alien registration. Chapter news came from Florin, Oakland and Washington Township, and about 7 of the 18 pages carried holiday greeting ads.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Onward: March of Liberty, by Frank Knox, page 1. Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox extends Christmas greetings to JACL members during a time of world crisis. He praises citizens of Japanese descent for their enrollment in the national defense effort.
- Goodwill: Duty of Citizen, by Franklin D. Roosevelt, page 1. President Roosevelt sends greetings to JACL members in six western states, wishing peace and goodwill through the year. He emphasizes the privilege and duty of citizenship in a democracy.
- Virtues of Tolerance, page 1. A congratulatory message praises the Pacific Citizen for its special Christmas edition and its work for Japanese Americans. The writer argues that second-generation citizens are entitled to equal rights and should not suffer discrimination.
- Nisei Face Era of Opportunity, by Kay Nishida, page 9. Nisei reaching voting age face a world at war and worsening Japanese-American relations. The writer argues that historical perspective suggests a coming era of opportunity for Nisei who prepare themselves.
- Special Service to Readers: Legal Forum, by Walter T. Tsukamoto, page 10. Answers reader questions about loss of citizenship through marriage and alien registration requirements. Readers are advised to register by December 26, 1940, and to pursue repatriation procedures.
- A Nisei Ode to America, page 12. A reprinted essay expresses gratitude for American freedoms and a determination to defend the nation’s ideals. It concludes that the spirit of America is the strength of the Nisei.
- Vital Role in West, by Clarence D. Martin, page 18. Washington Governor Clarence Martin extends greetings to JACL members and praises Nisei contributions to Western development. He calls on all citizens to uphold democratic fundamentals.
- Part of Our Civilization, by Ray Lyman Wilbur, page 18. Stanford University president Ray Lyman Wilbur writes that American-born Japanese are developing a high class of citizenship. He argues they can contribute materially to American civilization.
- Real Mission to Perform, by R. T. Jones, page 18. Arizona Governor R. T. Jones praises the JACL for improving relations between Japan and the United States. He encourages members to remain loyal to their adopted country.
- Congratulations on Excellent Work of League, by L. P. Sieg, page 18. University of Washington President L. P. Sieg congratulates the JACL on its work guiding Japanese American citizens. He notes the contributions of League members who attended the university.
Community
- Florin Election, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Florin chapter will hold a special election meeting at month’s end and a second annual carnival on Dec. 29. Chairmen for the carnival are named.
- Red Cross Roll, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Oakland chapter participated for the first time in the Red Cross Roll Call, enlisting over 240 members and raising $298.35. The chapter celebrated with a Christmas turkey supper.
- Christmas Seals, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Members of the Yuba-Sutter-Butte-Colusa chapter helped sell Christmas seals for the county tuberculosis association. The chapter’s president will give a radio talk on the citizens league.
- Washington Township Election Slate, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Washington Township JACL nominating committee announced candidates for its new cabinet. The chapter also reports fundraising results and planned activities for early 1941.
- Nisei Abroad, by Goro Murata, page 11. Nisei in Tokyo describe the uncertain atmosphere as tensions rise between Japan and the United States. The article also covers the Overseas Japanese convention and daily life under wartime rationing.
- Work in Fields of Agriculture: First Settlers in Marysville, by Paul Tekawa and Frank Nakamura, page 14. A historical report on early Japanese settlers in the Marysville district covers their agricultural and business beginnings. It also traces the formation of the Marysville Japanese Association and the Yuba-Sutter-Butte-Colusa JACL chapter.
In-Depth
- Nisei Couple Faces the Draft Problem, by Mutsuye Kawanami, page 8. Jimmie Hirano learns he has been drafted and must leave in six weeks, disrupting his plans to marry Jen Morita. Jen reluctantly encourages him to go willingly, and they part with a toast.
JACL
- Holiday Message from President Kido, by Saburo Kido, page 18. JACL President Kido urges members to support the $100,000 fundraising campaign through small individual contributions. He also addresses the prospects of Nisei employment in the coming national defense boom.
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