Hawaii’s Nisei loyalty, Utah’s land law repeal and the fight over Issei citizenship

Vol. 24, No. 10, March 15, 1947. 8 pages. View this issue

Loyalty and the law ran through this eight-page issue of March 15, 1947. Admiral Nimitz told a House committee he knew of no sabotage by Nisei in World War II, and Interior Secretary Julius Krug backed Hawaii’s request for statehood. The Utah House voted 48 to 2 to repeal the state’s Alien Land law. Larry Tajiri’s editorials took up Utah’s action, private bills affecting deportation, and evacuee property losses. Bill Hosokawa and the Washington News-Letter compared Nimitz’s candor with General DeWitt’s defense of the West Coast removal.

Elsewhere, Grace Cable Keroher traced the history of California’s Alien Land Law and the vote on Proposition 15. Mike Masaoka and Saburo Kido worked toward citizenship for Issei, and the JACL ran a membership drive. Readers will also find sports results from Chicago, Salt Lake City and Spokane, and a profile of opera singer Hizi Koyke.

What’s in this issue

Military & Veterans

• Mayor Greets Nisei GIs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Two decorated Nisei soldiers, Chief Warrant Officer Ernest Hirai and Master Sgt. Frank Kuramoto, were welcomed by Los Angeles Mayor Bowron. They were assigned to encourage Nisei to enlist in the Military Intelligence Service language school.
• VFW Council in Sacramento Backs Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Sacramento County VFW passed resolutions urging amendment of the California Alien Land law and federal racial naturalization restrictions. The resolutions were presented by the newly formed Nisei Post No. 8985.
• Nisei Colonel Says Japan’s Destiny Now Linked With U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 1. Lt. Col. John F. Aiso, returning from MacArthur’s headquarters in Tokyo, said Japan now believes its destiny is linked with the United States. He predicted occupation troops would be needed for a generation to democratize Japan.
• Nisei Veteran Gets Post in DAV, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Albert Y. Oki, a wounded war veteran from Honolulu, was hired as a national service officer at Disabled American Veterans headquarters in Washington. He will return to Hawaii later this year.
• California Soldier Promoted in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sam J. Nomura of Venice, California, was promoted to staff sergeant at General MacArthur’s headquarters in Tokyo. He serves as an interpreter in a Special Unit of General Headquarters.
• Fresno Veterans Group Interested in Parents’ Rights, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. Charles Clason wrote that his naturalization bill for parents of U.S. servicemen would be amended to include parents of Japanese nationality. The United Veterans of Fresno, a Nisei veterans group, received the assurance.
• Hoshino Seeks Comeback in Hawaii Fights, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Nisei featherweight Hal Hoshino of Pendleton, Oregon, arrived in Hawaii to restart his boxing career after a long layoff. He hopes to face David Kui Kong Young, whom he knocked out in 1940.

National

• Loyalty of Japanese American Group in Wartime Praised by Admiral Nimitz at Hearing, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Chief of Naval Operations Chester Nimitz told a House committee he knew of no Nisei sabotage in World War II and had no military objection to Hawaiian statehood. He said his earlier doubts about Japanese American loyalty no longer existed.
• Nisei Veteran Trains for Post on L.A. Police Force, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Stanley Uno, a Nisei Pacific theater veteran, is among 101 candidates seeking regular positions on the Los Angeles police force. He is the first Nisei to seek a post as a city policeman.
• Krug Stresses Nisei Record in Testimony, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Interior Secretary Julius Krug told a House committee that Hawaii’s residents of Japanese ancestry had an unquestioned loyalty record. He supported Hawaii’s request for statehood.
• Utah Legislature Repeals State’s Alien Property Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Utah House voted 48 to 2 to repeal the state’s Alien Land law aimed at Japanese ancestry farmers. Legislators praised the wartime contributions of Japanese American farmers and Nisei soldiers.
• House Votes 48 to 2 to Erase Wartime Statute Aimed at Farmers of Japanese Descent, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Utah House repealed the state’s Alien Land law with a 48 to 2 vote, with members praising wartime contributions of Japanese farmers and Nisei soldiers. Veterans groups including the VFW supported the repeal as a tribute to Japanese American service members.
• Wirin, Saburo Kido To Urge Citizenship for Issei Japanese, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Saburo Kido and attorney A. L. Wirin will argue for citizenship for Japanese aliens on a KMPC radio forum on March 23. They will debate Hector Baida and James McLaughlin, who oppose the measure.
• Masaoka Learns New Congress Policy on Deportation May Not Affect Japanese Alien Group, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka of the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee reported that a new House policy on deportation stays will not affect most Japanese aliens with private bills pending. He urged that the courtesy of suspending deportations for them be continued.
• To House Committee on ADC Stand on Issei Citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mike Masaoka was invited to testify before a House subcommittee on March 19 regarding bills affecting Japanese immigration and naturalization. He was expected to endorse the Farrington bill to remove racial bars to naturalization.
• Sister Testifies Alice Iba Had No Chemistry Experience, by P.C. Staff, page 3. At an inquest into the O’Connor electroplating plant explosion in Los Angeles, the sister of Nisei worker Alice Iba testified that Alice had no special chemical training. The blast killed at least 17 persons and injured 153 others.

Community

• Temporary Suspension Announced by Nisei Paper in New York, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Nisei Weekender in New York temporarily suspended publication due to production problems including newsprint shortages. Publishers announced plans to expand it into an eight-page paper.
• Nisei Student Wins Oratory Honors, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Joe Ikeguchi of the University of Redlands forensic squad won first prize in oratory at the Pi Kappa Delta western states tournament. The Redlands squad made the best score of any west coast school for upper division speakers.
• Denver Nisei Hurt in Highway Accident, by P.C. Staff, page 1. James Shiyomura, 18, was seriously injured when his motorcycle collided with an automobile on U.S. Highway 85 near Henderson on March 9.
• JACL Conducts Membership Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The JACL is running a national membership drive ending March 15 to build the numbers needed for its legislative campaign. The editorial argues Nisei should join voluntarily without requiring sales pitches.
• Japanese Americans at WRA Camp Helped Develop New Guayule Rubber Processes, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A new guayule rubber curing process developed partly by Japanese American volunteers at the Manzanar relocation center may lead to a substantial domestic rubber industry. Desert Rubber Company is preparing to harvest a million pounds using the process.
• Kito Leaves for New U.S. Post in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Frank E. Kito, former Los Angeles attorney, left for Tokyo to join the staff of the U.S. Economic Mission in Japan. He had been on the staff of the Military Intelligence Service.
• New York Group Plans Lecture Forum Series, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The American Committee for Jinzai Democracy announced a series of lectures and forum discussions in New York featuring notable Nisei personalities. Speakers include Koji Ariyoshi and artists Isamu Noguchi.
• Study of Chicago Relocation Started Under Special Grant, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sociologist Setsuko Matsunaga Nishi and anthropologist W. A. Caudill began a comprehensive study of Nisei and Issei resettlement in the Chicago area. The research is funded by the Julius Rosenwald Fund.
• Nisei Singer’s New York Debut Postponed, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mariko Mukai’s Carnegie Hall debut was postponed to April 26 because she was recovering from a cold and laryngitis. Tickets had nearly sold out, with many taken by friends from Seattle.
• Young People Hold Christian Conference in Spokane, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The first interracial Young People’s Christian Conference was held in Spokane with representatives from 25 churches. Dr. T. H. Kennedy spoke on youth for tomorrow at the conference banquet.
• Fresno Group Makes Plans for YPCC Sectional Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Organizers finalized plans for the Fresno sectional YPCC to be held March 28 at the Fresno Memorial Auditorium and First Methodist Church. The registration fee was raised to $2.75 due to higher food costs.
• Nisei Initiated Into Honor Group, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Marian Sugiyama, a University of Minnesota student, was initiated into the Rho chapter of Omicron Nu, a national home economics honorary society. She is also affiliated with Phi Upsilon Omicron.
• Urban League Official Will Speak at Next Chicago JACL Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Chicago Urban League secretary Wilbur Williams will speak on cooperation among minorities at the March 20 Chicago JACL meeting. Williams previously worked closely with evacuee leaders in Cleveland.
• Bradford Smith Says Chicago Resettlement Successful, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Author Bradford Smith, writing a book on Japanese Americans for Lippincott, called Chicago the most successful example of resettlement. He noted the absence of a Nihonmachi like Little Tokyo.
• Disclose Wartime Study Made In Hawaii of Conduct of Japanese American Group, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Herbert Nichols reported that Hawaii’s Japanese Americans lived under Army oversight without forced relocation and gave wholehearted war support. University of Hawaii sociologists Andrew Lind and John Rademaker studied interracial relations throughout the war.
• Dudley Yatabe Will Play in Recital, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sixteen-year-old piano virtuoso Dudley Yatabe, son of JACL founder Dr. Thomas Yatabe, will perform in a recital at Kimball Hall in Chicago. He is a student of Wilbur Royer at the American Conservatory of Music.
• Victory Dance to Honor Winners of Cage Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Winners of the Intermountain Nisei basketball tournament in Salt Lake City will be honored at a victory dance following the championship game. Trophies will be awarded during the intermission.
• Bernard Tailors Win JACL Cage Tourney in Spokane, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Bernard Tailors won the third annual Spokane JACL basketball tournament held March 6 to 8. Pioneer Drugs finished second and Beacon Cleaners took the consolation trophy.
• Canada Nisei Protest Ban On Movement, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Japanese Canadian Committee for Democracy protested the continued denial of free movement and fishing licenses to Canadians of Japanese origin. The group argued these restrictions contradict Canadian citizenship.
• Nisei Instructor Promotes Interest in Judo in Washington, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Minoru Okamoto, a fourth-degree judo expert, was reappointed instructor of judo at the University of Maryland. He is also organizing judo clubs and hopes to unify American judo groups under a central organization.
• Twin Cities Buddhist Group to Hold First Anniversary Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Twin Cities Buddhist Youth Association will hold an anniversary dance in Minneapolis on April 19 to celebrate its first year. A Kingsburg six-piece orchestra will be featured.
• Governor Praises Hawaiians of Japanese Ancestry, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Hawaii Governor Ingram Stainback told reporters that Japanese Americans in Hawaii are good American citizens. He made the remarks en route to Washington to testify on Hawaiian statehood.
• Hairdressers Group Elects Nisei to Board, by P.C. Staff, page 8. George Ohashi, owner of a Denver beauty salon, was elected to the board of the Colorado State Hairdressers Association. He is the first Japanese American accepted into the state group.

JACL

• Campaign to Increase Membership, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The JACL needs a larger membership to support its legislative campaign, currently around 6,000 Nisei members. The editorial argues Nisei should voluntarily support the organization that is fighting for their rights.
• JACL Will Be Represented at UNESCO Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mike Masaoka and a Philadelphia JACL representative will attend the UNESCO meeting in Philadelphia from March 24 to 26 as observers. The meeting will discuss educational reconstruction and international understanding.

Obituaries

• Nisei Ex-Newsman Dies in Honolulu, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Thomas Shinkatsu Kurihara, a Honolulu Nisei newspaperman and city administrator, died February 16 after a prolonged illness. He had worked on the Hawaii Times and Star-Bulletin.
• Mrs. Hiroko Ikeda Succumbs in Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mrs. Hiroko Ikeda, one of the first Japanese Americans to graduate from high school in the Territory of Hawaii, died in Honolulu on February 25. She had taught in the territorial school system.

Commentary

• Editorials: Utah’s Action, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Utah became the first state to repudiate its Alien Land law, a product of wartime hysteria. The editorial challenges other western states, including California, to follow suit.
• Private Bills, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Congress ended the practice of delaying deportations when private bills are pending, leaving many Japanese nationals with American families vulnerable. The editorial argues these long-resident aliens deserve relief through Congressional action.
• Community Action, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. A Los Altos Fair Play Committee was formed after a rumor about a Negro cultist group buying an estate sparked racial tensions. The editorial notes how single incidents of discrimination reflect broader reservoirs of prejudice.
• Evacuee Property Losses, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. A WRA report documented extensive neglect, theft, and vandalism of evacuee property during the West Coast exclusion. The editorial urges Congress to pass a claims bill compensating evacuees for accountable losses.
• The Washington News-Letter, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A column relays Admiral Nimitz’s testimony that he knew of no sabotage by Hawaiian Nisei and that his earlier wartime doubts about their loyalty were gone. The column contrasts this with the lack of similar candor from General DeWitt about the West Coast evacuation.
• The Story of Proposition 15: Repudiation of Alien Land Law At Last Election Discloses Change in California Attitude, by Grace Cable Keroher, page 5. Grace Cable Keroher traces the history of California’s Alien Land Law from anti-Chinese origins through its anti-Japanese application. She describes how Proposition 15’s defeat revealed a shift in public opinion, though the law remains on the books.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa reflects on Admiral Nimitz’s testimony that martial law in Hawaii may not have been necessary and that no sabotage occurred. He contrasts this candor with the unrepentant defense of the West Coast mass evacuation by General DeWitt.
• Tomorrow’s Heirs, by Sachi L. Wada, page 6. Sachi Wada reflects on small kindnesses witnessed in Minneapolis and urges Nisei to outgrow insularity and embrace the broader world. She encourages former classmates to look beyond ethnic and regional divisions.

Sports

• Hirose Wins Big Nine Swim Championship, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Takashi Hirose of Ohio State, a 442nd Combat Team veteran, won the 100-yard freestyle at the Big Nine swimming championships. The Ohio State relay team set a new record in the 400-yard relay.
• Huskies Trounce Marusho in Chicago Nisei Basketball, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Huskies won the Chicago Nisei Athletic Association basketball championship by defeating Marusho 59 to 41. T. Hiyama scored 20 points to lead the winners.
• Okadas Win JACL Bowling Championship in Salt Lake City, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Okada Insurance team won the Salt Lake City JACL winter bowling league championship with 64 wins and 24 losses. The national Nisei bowling tournament follows on March 29 and 30.
• Kaneshiro, Star Nisei Jockey, Will Ride in Tanforan Race, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Tommy Kaneshiro, Hawaii’s leading jockey, will make his first bid for national riding honors at Tanforan racetrack. The track had been used as an assembly center for evacuees in 1942.
• Nakamura Named on All-Star Team, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Left-hander Nakamura was named to the first team of the Mercury Herald All-Santa Clara Valley high school basketball team. He was the league’s second highest scorer.
• Seals Defeat Maui All-Star Ball Club, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The San Francisco Seals defeated the Japanese American All-Stars 6 to 3 in their final game on Maui. Four Nisei pitchers faced the Coast League champions.

Arts & Entertainment

• Hizi Koyke Returns to Opera After Silence of War Years, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Opera singer Hizi Koyke, known for her Madame Butterfly role, discussed her wartime experiences and her return to performing in an interview with Pacific Citizen. She said the war left a scar on everyone and that she now values sympathy over applause.

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.