The Army’s call for Nisei volunteers, and a beating at Poston

Vol. 16, No. 5, February 4, 1943. 8 pages. View this issue

The War Department’s announcement of a combat team of Japanese American volunteers filled this eight-page issue. News stories reported general registration for adults in the incarceration camps, recruiting teams sent to the centers, and the 100th Infantry Battalion. Mike Masaoka explained in his own words why he volunteered, and Bill Hosokawa wrote that the decision was a long step toward full citizenship. On the front page, Saburo Kido, JACL National President, was beaten at Poston by eight men who later confessed.

Elsewhere in the issue, a federal court issued writs in the Wakayama case, and seven judges were set to hear the Korematsu, Hirabayashi and Yasui cases on Feb. 19. Colorado’s judiciary committee killed an anti-alien land bill, while Arkansas passed one. Readers will also find a JACL membership plan for residents of the centers, a Topaz JACL chapter taking shape, and notes from Minidoka, Heart Mountain and Manzanar.

What’s in this issue

National

• Colorado Kills Anti-Alien Land Ownership Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Colorado house judiciary committee voted 8 to 2 on Jan. 27 to refuse printing a bill barring Asian aliens from owning land, rather than insult Chinese and Filipino allies. A similar bill with different provisions remained in a senate committee.
• Abe Resigns From Hawaiian Senate Seat, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sanji Abe, a Hawaiian-born Japanese territorial senator, resigned, leaving the legislature without a member of Japanese extraction for the first time since 1931. He cited a desire to protect the territory from unjust outside attacks.
• California Will Press Suit on Japanese Farm, by P.C. Staff, page 2. California prepared an escheat suit against the State Farming Company over 3,330 acres in Dos Palos, alleging actual ownership by alien Japanese Koda and Ikeda. Trial was set for March 23 in Fresno County Superior Court.
• State Senate to Investigate Utah Evacuees, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Utah state senate appointed a special committee to investigate alleged preferential treatment of Japanese evacuees after Davis County citizens complained. The committee was empowered to subpoena witnesses.
• ‘Coddling’ of Topaz Evacuees Denied by Utah Farm Official, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Selvoy Boyer, executive secretary of the Utah Farm Bureau, denied Senator Huggins’ claim that Topaz evacuees live like kings. He said evacuees simply require dry, warm, sanitary housing that any American employee would expect.
• WRA Seeks Jobs for Evacuees in Michigan, Ohio, W. Virginia, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A new WRA branch office in Cleveland, led by Harold Fistere, plans to place some of the 10,000 evacuees in Ohio, Michigan and West Virginia farms and factories. Placement would depend on community acceptance.
• Hood River Lions Club Asks Deportation of Japanese Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Hood River Lions Club adopted resolutions calling for revoking citizenship of American-born Japanese and deporting them after the war. A second resolution sought continued detention of all persons of Japanese ancestry.
• California Chamber of Commerce Discusses Use of Equipment, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The north coast council of the California Chamber of Commerce approved a resolution urging military authorities to take over Japanese-owned farm equipment left behind for agricultural war use. Owners would be paid fair appraisal value.
• Klamath Basin Farm Operators To Seek Evacuee Workers, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Tulelake farmers facing a severe manpower shortage planned to ask relocated Japanese at the Tule Lake center for help as a last resort. Earlier requests to army officials for evacuee labor had been ignored.
• Dispersal Program Encouraged by WRA, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The WRA resettlement program aims to scatter Japanese residents across the country to avoid concentration. Evacuees who lost everything in California are expected to build new homes elsewhere if early groups report favorably.
• Anti-Japanese Bill Approved in Arkansas, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Arkansas senate defeated a bill to bar all Mongolian-race students from white schools, then amended it to target only Japanese. A separate bill barring Japanese from owning Arkansas land passed 28 to 1.
• California Legion Launches Campaign Against U.S. Japanese, by P.C. Staff, page 3. California American Legion commander Leon Happell called the relocation program a failure and advocated deporting all persons of Japanese ancestry to the mandated islands after the war. The Yuba-Sutter post passed a resolution opposing school release of evacuees.
• American Legion Asks for Seizure of Farm Implements of Evacuees, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Los Angeles County Council of the American Legion asked Secretary of Agriculture Claude Wickard to seize farm machinery left by evacuated farmers. A survey found 200 to 300 tractors stored in Orange County barns.
• Hawaii Businessman Wants Evacuation of Japanese Group, by P.C. Staff, page 3. John A. Balch, former president of Mutual Telephone, urged removal of at least 100,000 Hawaiian Japanese to the mainland. He also proposed replacing Japanese labor with organized labor battalions.
• Stored Autos Equipped With Pre-War Grade of Tires, Declares Paper, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Fresno Bee estimated 20,000 to 25,000 evacuee-owned vehicles stored on the Pacific Coast with good tires worth a large rubber stockpile. Owners had jacked up cars and deflated tires before leaving for relocation centers.
• Legislature Will Probe Evacuee Car Situation, by P.C. Staff, page 7. California Senator Jack Tenney’s un-American activities committee announced it would investigate evacuee-owned cars, trucks and farm equipment stored in the state. The committee hoped to direct tires to the national stockpile.
• Gov. Carville Raps Use of Evacuee Labor, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Nevada Governor E.P. Carville reiterated his opposition to importing evacuees for farm labor, saying it would be acceptable only with government guarantees of policing and protection against sabotage.

Incarceration & Redress

• Federal Court Issues Writ in Wakayama Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A three-judge federal court in Los Angeles ordered writs for Ernest and Toki Wakayama, who challenged the constitutionality of the army’s evacuation order as applied to citizens. A hearing was set for March 5.
• Eight Members of Gang Arrested, Sign Written Confessions to Crime, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Eight evacuees broke into the Poston barrack apartment of JACL National President Saburo Kido and beat him and attempted to assault Mrs. Kido. The eight confessed and were turned over to Yuma County authorities for trial on assault charges.
• Arrest Seven at Poston on Riot Charge, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The FBI arrested seven Japanese alien evacuees at Poston for participation in the November disturbance and they were lodged for enemy alien board hearings. The Arizona Republic indicated the arrests were the beginning of government action against instigators.
• Seven Judges to Hear Cases Testing Evacuation Legality, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Seven judges of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear four cases on Feb. 19, including the Korematsu and Hirabayashi evacuation tests, the Yasui curfew case, and the Regan citizenship challenge. The arguments were continued to allow Yasui counsel to file briefs.
• Tadenne Youth Commits Suicide on Rail Tracks, by P.C. Staff, page 2. John Yoshida, 24, died by suicide by stepping in front of a train near Jerome after writing a letter saying he wished to join his mother, who had died by suicide two years earlier. His body was discovered by section workers.
• Loyal Evacuees Will Receive Opportunity to Serve Nation On Production Front Soon, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The War Relocation Authority announced plans to place loyal evacuees in war production work alongside the army combat team drive. Field offices in five cities will help employable residents find work and clearance will be accelerated.
• No Inquest Planned in Suicide Death on Farm in Arizona, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Coroner Nat McKee decided no inquest would be held into the death of Kasaburo Fugita, 63, found hanging from a tree on a Phoenix-area farm. Deputies said he had been ill for a long time.

Community

• Nisei Girl Files Intent to Marry U.S. Navy Sailor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Navy sailor stationed in Seattle and a Chicago Nisei woman obtained a marriage license in Spokane. The bride would not be permitted to accompany him back to Seattle due to west coast restrictions.
• Mike Masaoka Will Wed Etsu Mineta in Salt Lake City, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL Secretary Mike Masaoka and Etsu Mineta, daughter of the Kunisaku Minetas of San Jose, will marry Feb. 14 in Salt Lake City. Miss Mineta had been visiting her parents at Heart Mountain.
• Masaoka Talks at Hearing on Proposed Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mike Masaoka spoke at a Utah Senate Bill 5 hearing that would bar aliens ineligible for citizenship from owning Utah land. He challenged claims by Davis County residents that Japanese Americans avoided military service, noting 5,300 nisei already served.
• Farm Club Started at Minidoka Center, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Students in agriculture classes at the Minidoka Relocation Center formed an agriculture club. Its aims include helping raise food for the center and joining the Future Farmers of America.
• Choir From Hunt Wins Audience, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The 83-voice Minidoka Mass Choir performed for Jerome High School students and gave a well-received evening concert under the Jerome Ministerial Association. A February 9 performance in Twin Falls was scheduled.
• Minidoka Center Seeks Sweetheart, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A search was launched for a Sweetheart of Minidoka to reign over the St. Valentine Dance. Judging weighs personality, poise, speech and beauty.
• Nisei Wins Scholarship to Radcliffe College, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mary Ishimoto of Heart Mountain was awarded a scholarship to Radcliffe College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The report comes from the Sentinel.
• Oberlin College Awards Pomona Degree to Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Oberlin College awarded a Pomona College degree to Sue Hisanaga, a Nisei forced to evacuate from California. The National Japanese American Student Relocation Council called it a unique precedent.
• Two Heart Mountain Residents on Honor Roll at Wyoming, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Noel K. Tsuneishi and Ernest M. Makin, both freshmen at the University of Wyoming, were named to the fall term honor roll. The report comes from the Sentinel.
• Meet the WRA: John Provinse Directs WRA Community Management, by P.C. Staff, page 6. This profile describes John H. Provinse, head of WRA’s Community Management Division, with a background in law, anthropology, and Soil Conservation work. He oversees internal security, education, health, and community government within the relocation program.
• Topaz Citizens Organize JACL Group, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Residents of the Topaz center held an informal meeting on Jan. 25 and unanimously agreed to establish a JACL chapter. They planned an organizational rally for Feb. 7 to build an organized front against anti-minority groups.
• Protestant Group Plans to Aid Evacuee Resettlement Program, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Protestant Commission for Japanese Service reported its 1942 activities and announced it would aid evacuee resettlement. Rev. Frank Herron Smith and others planned mid-west trips to create favorable sentiment and find jobs.
• Hog Raising Project Proves Successful at Topaz Center, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Topaz hog raising has succeeded, with eleven hogs gaining weight faster than U.S. experimental farm averages at negligible feed cost. The project aims to make Topaz self-sufficient in pork by year’s end.
• Evacuee Food Facts Given by Merritt, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Manzanar project director Ralph Merritt described food served at the camp to counter rumors, noting meat is sparing and no eggs or butter are provided. Evacuees had raised over $40,000 worth of vegetables for mess halls.
• Boise Valley JACL Hears Parley Report, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Boise Valley chapter held its first meeting of the year and heard a report on the Intermountain District Council meeting in Pocatello. Members decided to launch an intensive campaign for Pacific Citizen subscriptions.
• Nampa Girl Leaves for Minnesota for Nurse’s Training, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Laura Nakamura, a Nampa High School valedictorian, left to begin nurse’s training at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.
• Evacuee Youths Choose Inland Empire Schools, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Five Minidoka students were granted leave to resume college at Washington State College and Gonzaga University after FBI clearance. The students were named in the report.

Military & Veterans

• 500 at Poston Will Qualify for Army, Says Director, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Project Director W. Wade Head said about 500 of Poston’s 18,000 evacuees will qualify for the Army’s plan to form a loyal Japanese American combat unit. Many youths had followed developments in Washington through newspapers and daily questioned him.
• Nisei Volunteers Announce General Registration For All Adult Evacuees Now in Wartime Relocation Projects, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The War Department announced voluntary induction of American-born Japanese for a new combat team of about 5,000 men, with 1,500 from Hawaii, to train in Mississippi. Ten recruiting teams were sent to the relocation centers and general registration was set for all adults.
• Myer Reported Deeply Satisfied With Army Plan, by P.C. Staff, page 3. WRA Director Dillon Myer said he was deeply satisfied with the Army’s plan to recruit a Japanese American combat unit and pledged WRA facilities to speed its formation. He called January 28 the most significant date in ten months.
• Colonel Turner Lauds Battalion of Japanese Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The War Department released a statement by Lt. Col. Farrant Turner praising the 100th Infantry Battalion, composed of Japanese ancestry men from the Hawaiian National Guard. Turner said he had never received more wholehearted cooperation from any troops.
• Army’s Use of Loyal Nisei Applauded by Senators, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Senators on the military affairs subcommittee praised the army’s plan to form a Japanese American combat unit after hearing testimony from Joseph Grew and Tokutaro Slocum. The unit is planned for the European theater.
• Nisei Uses Entire ‘A’ Gas Ration to Enlist in Army, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Fred Toyota of McGill, Nevada, drove 250 miles to Salt Lake City with fellow Nisei Sam Hase after hearing the army’s announcement. The group sought to volunteer but found no official induction procedure yet announced.
• Military Chief Says Nisei Role Not Easy One, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Lt. Gen. Delos Emmons announced he was directed to induct 1,500 Hawaiian Japanese Americans into the U.S. Army. He praised their conduct and war bond purchases despite discrimination.
• Poston Police School Gives Twelve Diplomas, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Twelve diplomas were awarded at the first commencement of the Poston Police Academy at Unit 2. Graduates included the chief of police and several captains and lieutenants.

Commentary

• Too Much Red Tape In Clearance Permits, by Saburo Kido, page 2. Kido criticizes the leave clearance process as burdened by excessive red tape, listing the many forms and checks required before approval. He notes that the tempo is picking up and that delays have cost job seekers offers.
• Editorials: On Military Service, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial welcomes the War Department’s January 28 decision to form a Japanese American combat unit as the beginning of the end of a tragic period. It argues that the response will answer demagogues and race bigots who advocate internment and deportation.
• Editorial: How to Speak to Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Reprinted from The Nation, this piece argues that releasing loyal Nisei and keeping only disloyal Japanese nationals in custody would best counter Japanese propaganda. It notes indiscriminate internment makes the U.S. vulnerable.
• Why I Volunteered, by Mike Masaoka, page 4. Masaoka explains his decision to volunteer for the Japanese American combat team, citing duty to America, the JACL, his friends, and his own conscience. He argues volunteering would help secure future rights and resettlement for Japanese Americans.
• Nisei Recognition is Long Step Forward, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa argues the War Department’s decision to allow Nisei to bear arms is a long step toward full citizenship, though inconsistencies remain such as volunteer-only enlistment. He hopes the response will influence other pending government decisions.
• The Four Freedoms Must Be Assured at Home, by Tad Uyeno, page 5. Uyeno argues the Four Freedoms must apply to all peoples, including Americans of Japanese descent, and warns that racial discrimination at home undermines the war’s aims. He cites hostile communities and Axis propaganda that exploits the internment.
• On Canadian Evacuees, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Reprinted from the New Canadian, this piece argues that interior-town evacuees have suffered damage to spirit but can be revived if genuine future opportunities are offered. Successful resettlement depends on both individuals and real opportunity.
• Only Proper Test Is Loyalty, Not Race, Declares Chronicle, by P.C. Staff, page 8. West coast newspapers including the San Francisco Chronicle and Seattle Post-Intelligencer favorably commented on the Army’s reopening of military service to Nisei. Editorials argued loyalty, not ancestry, should be the proper test.

JACL

• JACL Staff Plans Meeting in Salt Lake, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A special meeting of JACL national headquarters staff and field men was set for Feb. 10 in Salt Lake City to plan for the organization after Mike Masaoka leaves for military service. Attorney A. L. Wirin was also to meet with staff.
• Calling All Chapters!, by Teiko Ishida, page 6. This JACL column thanks donors and chapters for contributions totaling over $1,200 and reports on student housing needs in Salt Lake City. It urges students to give advance notice before arriving.
• New Membership Plan for Nisei in Centers Announced, by Hito Okada, page 7. Hito Okada announced a $3.00 Associated Membership for residents of relocation centers lacking JACL chapters, including a Pacific Citizen subscription. Associated members can transfer to active status when a chapter forms.

In-Depth

• Christmas at Heart Mountain, by Floyd Schmoe, page 5. Schmoe describes Christmas celebrations for children at Heart Mountain, where gifts sent by Americans from across the country arrived in large numbers. He reflects that the gifts warmed hearts and offered hope for a peaceful future.

Arts & Entertainment

• Books Carried in Relocation Libraries Show Varied Tastes, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Relocation center libraries, built from donations and resident initiative, offer a wide range of fiction and nonfiction. Sample holdings at Topaz, Tule Lake and Gila River show popular titles from Pearl Buck to Steinbeck.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.