Tokyo Rose indicted, evacuation claims forms and Nisei soldiers brought home

Vol. 27, No. 15, October 9, 1948. 8 pages. View this issue

The indictment of Iva Toguri d’Aquino, called “Tokyo Rose,” on eight counts over wartime Radio Tokyo broadcasts led the news, and an editorial looked at how that name came to be applied to her. Also on page 1, the first Department of Justice evacuation claims forms reached the Washington JACL ADC with a January 2, 1950 filing deadline, and the remains of ten Nisei soldiers of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team came back from Europe. Edward J. Ennis and Mike Masaoka set out on a west coast tour to discuss the claims, and Judge William C. Mathes sentenced Tomoya Kawakita to death for treason, with an appeal allowed.

Elsewhere, Henry A. Wallace called the 1942 mass evacuation un-American, and real estate interests kept fighting the Supreme Court’s ruling on restrictive covenants. Columns by Jon Chinen and Bill Hosokawa, chapter news, and sports fill the later pages.

What’s in this issue

National

• Federal Grand Jury Indicts Mrs. d’Aquino for Wartime Radio Tokyo Broadcasts, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A federal grand jury in San Francisco indicted Iva Toguri d’Aquino, known as ‘Tokyo Rose,’ on eight counts of wartime propaganda broadcasts over Radio Tokyo. The hearing on the related treason charge was continued one week at the request of the U.S. Attorney.
• Seventeen Questions Asked in Evacuation Claims Forms, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The first official Department of Justice evacuation claims application forms were received by the Washington JACL ADC on Oct. 6. The forms contain seventeen questions and set January 2, 1950 as the filing deadline under Public Law 886.
• Wallace Condemns Evacuation as ‘Un-American’ in Meeting With Nisei Supporters Group, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Progressive Party presidential nominee Henry A. Wallace called the 1942 mass evacuation un-American and the result of mass hysteria in a meeting with the Los Angeles Nisei-for-Wallace Committee. He accused corporate farmers of fostering racial prejudice and urged minority groups to join his party.
• Ennis, Masaoka to Discuss Evacuation Claims Problem on Pacific Coast, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Edward J. Ennis and Mike Masaoka left Washington on a west coast tour to meet with JACL ADC staff and chapter delegates about evacuation claims. The itinerary included meetings in Los Angeles, Monterey, San Francisco and Chicago, with public meetings planned along the way.
• Realtors…, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Behind-the-scenes discussions at the California realtors convention considered legal means to keep non-Caucasians out of property following the Supreme Court covenant decision. A Southern California drive for a constitutional amendment permitting housing discrimination had not gained much support.

Military & Veterans

• Remains of Ten Nisei Soldiers Back in U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 1. The remains of ten Nisei armed forces dead were returned to the United States from Europe aboard the USAT Carroll Victory. All ten were members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, with next of kin listed in California, Washington, Colorado and Arizona.
• Masaoka Pleads Case for Nisei Soldier Bride and Daughter, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Mike Masaoka argued before the Board of Immigration Appeals on behalf of a Japanese soldier bride and her infant daughter detained at Seattle. The case hinged on pending adoption proceedings and the amended Soldier Brides Act, which the JACL ADC had won through Public Law 213.
• Nisei Veteran Appointed to Hawaii DAV Post, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Albert Y. Oki, a Nisei veteran of the 100th Infantry Battalion, was appointed by national DAV commander Jonathan Wainwright to serve as national service officer in the Territory of Hawaii. Oki will assist disabled veterans, many of whom are ex-GIs of Japanese ancestry.

Incarceration & Redress

• Judge Mathes Grants Motion of Defense for Appeal of Kawakita Sentence, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Federal Judge William C. Mathes sentenced Tomoya Kawakita to die in the gas chamber for treason after his conviction for brutalities against American POWs. Defense attorney Morris Lavine immediately filed notice of appeal, and the judge allowed the appeal to proceed to the Ninth Circuit.
• Returned Evacuees File Suit to Regain Property Left With ‘Friend’ in California, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The California Supreme Court heard arguments on a case brought by the Yoshimura family of San Diego County against Gonzales, who allegedly took their property during the evacuation. Chief Justice Gibson indicated the court tentatively found the Yoshimuras entitled to the property upon repaying the bank loan amount.
• Report Peak Reached in Dead Repatriation Program, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Army reported that the peak of the World War II dead repatriation program has been reached, with temporary overseas cemeteries to close by the end of November. Approximately 16,087 armed forces remains still await disposition because next of kin have not returned final burial forms.
• The Evacuee Claims Program, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial welcomes the release of the first evacuee claims forms under Public Law 886, a result of JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee work in the 80th Congress. It urges expedited payment of small household claims so evacuees can use the funds for resettlement.

Commentary

• Continuing Property Restrictions, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Real estate interests continue to fight the Supreme Court’s ruling against enforcing racially restrictive covenants, proposing constitutional amendments and alternative contract schemes. The editorial urges an outright court declaration that restrictive covenants are unconstitutional.
• The Legend of Tokyo Rose, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial traces how the name ‘Tokyo Rose’ was applied by GIs to the female announcers of Radio Tokyo, and how Iva Toguri d’Aquino became the only American among them. It examines her wartime legend, her imprisonment and release, and the political pressures behind her treason trial.
• Good Luck, Matsu, by Jon Chinen, page 5. Acting First Sergeant Mamo Matsumoto receives orders transferring him back to the regiment for physical disability and prepares to leave his company. His men surprise him with a field promotion to second lieutenant and a farewell salute.
• A Week to Try a Man’s Soul, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa writes a personal essay about the trials of following sports seasons and the election, and about his son Mike’s preference for football over piano lessons. He reflects on his own regrets about neglecting piano practice in youth.
• Continuing the Political Debate: An Answer to Harry Oshima, page 6. A letter writer responds to Harry Oshima’s earlier letter defending the Wallace Party, arguing that Communist Party influence over the party is significant. The writer cites Daily Worker statements and convention debates to support the claim and recommends readers study multiple political publications.

Arts & Entertainment

• Nisei Soprano Wins Praise in Seattle Concert, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Mariko Mukai, a Nisei soprano, received favorable reviews for her hometown concert at the Moore Theater in Seattle. Critic Nate Lund praised both her voice and stage presence.
• Novelist… Art Expert… Politics…, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Brief notes report on Milton K. Ozaki’s mystery novel being serialized, Toshio Mori’s forthcoming book, Scotty Tsuchiya’s buying trip to Japan, and Nisei campaigning in politics. Items include McGrath’s promise on naturalization equality and a Nisei Republican group forming in Chicago.

Community

• Philadelphia JACL Group Harvests Tomatoes in Jersey, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Twenty members of the Philadelphia JACL picked 480 bushels of tomatoes at a Moorestown, New Jersey farm to raise funds for the chapter’s national convention delegate. The day ended with a wienie bake and watermelon feed.
• Dawn Noodle Takes Lead in Women’s Bowling League, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Dawn Noodle team took first place in the Salt Lake City women’s bowling league with a 4-1 win over Orem. Fusaye Odow’s 180 game sparked the victory, and Mari Tobari of Pagoda bowled the day’s high series.
• Midwest JACL Council Plans Special Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Midwest District Council called a special meeting in Chicago on Oct. 13 for delegates from its seven chapters. National representatives Mike Masaoka and Ed Ennis will discuss chapter participation in offering limited evacuation claims services.

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