Election 1952: Nisei voters, Stevenson and Eisenhower

Vol. 35, No. 18, October 31, 1952. 8 pages. View this issue

The 1952 presidential race ran through this eight-page issue. An editorial, “Thoughtless Citizen,” urged independent voters to cast a ballot rather than stay home. Sam Ishikawa looked at California’s electoral votes and a possible Nisei voting bloc of about 20,000. Harry K. Honda wrote on the campaign’s political rhetoric, Bill Hosokawa described his own undecided household, and a straw vote at the Downtown Los Angeles JACL chapter favored Adlai Stevenson, 19 to 7. Another editorial explained why the JACL stayed non-partisan.

Elsewhere, Wilson Makabe described the people of Bruyeres, France, celebrating their liberation by the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and a report covered plans for a 442nd veterans reunion in Hawaii. Readers will also find the Kika Orei fund honoring Mike Masaoka, Americanization classes in Japanese for Issei, May Sakamoto Kurka on a Madame Butterfly production, and a short story by Paul Itaya.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Thoughtless Citizen, by H. H., page 1. The editorial argues that independent voters who refuse to vote because they cannot decide between candidates contribute to dangerous political apathy. It warns that failing to choose between lesser evils or goods allowed Hitlerism to rise in Germany.
• Latest Factors Indicate Best Stretch Winner Will Win State, by Sam Ishikawa, page 2. Sam Ishikawa analyzes California’s 32 electoral votes and the potential Nisei voting bloc of about 20,000 in the presidential election. He concludes that Stevenson has a slight edge in the state despite a fractured state Democratic party.
• Truly Yours: War or Panic, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Harry Honda examines the political rhetoric of the 1952 campaign, arguing that Republicans and Democrats both oversimplify issues. He reflects on how economic depressions and wars are complex and rarely the fault of one party.
• Hawaii Nisei Appointed to Territorial Posts Since 1935, by P.C. Staff, page 6. About 70 Nisei have been appointed to Hawaii territorial government posts since 1935, including two cabinet posts. The list is evidence of progress under the current administration.
• New Areas for Equality, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial argues that housing discrimination against Japanese families shows equality is not yet fully achieved. It urges people to stand up for their rights and use the law against racially restrictive covenants.
• Our Non-Partisan Policy, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial explains why the JACL must remain non-partisan despite heated presidential campaign tensions. It argues that a partisan stance would divide the membership and invite factional disputes.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Bill Hosokawa describes his household debate over Eisenhower and Stevenson and admits he is undecided. He concludes that either candidate would likely be a capable president.

Military & Veterans

• Casualties Mount in Korea as Army Reports Weekly Toll, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pentagon reported a sharp rise in U.S. casualties in Korea, with 1,278 additional casualties in one week. Nisei servicemen were among those listed as killed or wounded in action.
• MacArthur Finally Decides to Give Up History of Pacific War to Army, by P.C. Staff, page 1. General MacArthur agreed to turn over a classified four-year, three-volume history of the Pacific war, produced largely by Nisei translators under Gen. Willoughby. The Army had requested the material as government property.
• Hawaii 442nd Veterans Promotional Tour Draws Strong Mainland Interest, by L. Nakatsuka, page 2. Akira Fujiki reports that at least 100 mainland Nisei veterans plan to attend the 442nd Veterans Club 10th anniversary reunion in Hawaii next summer. The club’s tour met 1,500 veterans at 16 meetings across the country.
• Bruyeres Turns Out en Masse for Liberation Day Celebration, by Wilson Makabe, page 3. Wilson Makabe describes the citizens of Bruyeres, France, celebrating the eighth anniversary of their liberation by Nisei soldiers of the 442nd. He laid a wreath at the 442nd memorial as the mayor paid tribute to the regiment.

National

• Stevenson Boards Train Shared with McCarran Act Co-Author, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Adlai Stevenson ignored Rep. Walter, co-author of the McCarran Immigration Act, when Walter boarded his Pennsylvania campaign train. Stevenson has denounced the McCarran Act as discriminatory.
• Hosokawa Tells of Happy Ending to Evacuation Story of Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Bill Hosokawa writes in U.S.A. magazine that Nisei turned wartime hardships into advantages, with many serving in combat and others finding new careers. He notes that Congress passed a law allowing Japan-born residents to become citizens.

Community

• Saburo Kido Ready for First Japan Trip, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Former national JACL president Saburo Kido will travel to Tokyo on business to meet a client from Thailand. He will later meet with Mike Masaoka, who is currently in Japan.
• Acclaim Americanization Classes Conducted in Japanese for Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Francisco’s experimental citizenship class taught in Japanese for Issei has been highly successful, with 176 students enrolled. A waiting list already exists for the next class, sponsored by the San Francisco JACL.
• Stevenson Leads in Downtown L.A. JACL Straw Vote 19-7, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A straw vote at the Downtown Los Angeles JACL chapter luncheon favored Adlai Stevenson over Dwight Eisenhower, 19 to 7. Speakers Frank Chuman and Eiji Tanabe presented the Democratic and Republican cases.
• Los Angeles Scouts in Mass Competition at Elysian Park, by P.C. Staff, page 2. About 100 Nisei boy scouts from Metropolitan Los Angeles competed in a field day at Elysian Park. Koyasan’s Troop 379 won the first leg of a perpetual trophy.
• Canada Fishing Strike Settled, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A six-week strike by Fraser River fishermen, many of them Japanese Canadians, ended with government intervention. The settlement set wages at 9 cents an hour increase.
• Nisei Dentist Elected Head of Colorado Group, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Dr. George Uyemura was elected president of the Weld County Dental Society, the largest such group in Colorado. He had previously served as vice-president.
• Two Oregon Chapters Treated to Both Sides of Electioneering, by Mary Minamoto, page 4. Portland and Gresham-Troutdale JACL members attended a presidential election rally with Republican and Democratic speakers. Democratic candidate Robert Thornton impressed the crowd by speaking fluent Japanese.
• Northern Californians Contribute $1,000 to JACL Endowment Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Almost $1,000 has been received by the Northern California JACL office for the million-dollar Endowment Fund. Many contributors are sharing the evacuation claims awards they received.
• Callahan Inagaki to Speak in Reno, by P.C. Staff, page 4. National JACL president George Inagaki will be the main speaker at the Northern California-Western Nevada District Council dinner in Reno on Nov. 9. Delegates are urged to reserve motel rooms in advance.
• Bay Area Winding Up Own ADC Drive, by Haruo Ishimaru, page 4. Three more Bay Area localities completed their ADC fund drives, with the campaign only about $1,500 short of its goal. Ishimaru urged remaining areas to close their campaigns.
• Sue Horikawa Crowned Miss Placer YBA, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sue Horikawa of Auburn was crowned Miss Placer YBA at the Loomis Legion Memorial Hall. The young Bussei held the queen contest there.
• California Propositions Briefed, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The article summarizes the 24 California state propositions on the November ballot, covering bonds, school funding, loyalty oaths, old age pensions, and redevelopment. It gives voters a brief description of each measure.

Incarceration & Redress

• Kika Orei Quotas Met by Three Communities, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Suisun, Oakland, and Redwood City have met their Kika Orei appreciation fund quotas honoring Mike Masaoka and others who fought for naturalization and immigration equality. Organizers hope other areas will contribute generously.

Arts & Entertainment

• Tokyo Opera Group’s Presentation of Madame Butterfly Found Offensive, by May Sakamoto Kurka, page 2. Writer May Sakamoto Kurka criticizes the Fujiwara Opera Company’s production of Madame Butterfly for its stereotypical portrayal of Japanese characters. She expresses hope for future operas depicting Japanese people with dignity and equality.
• Fujiwara Opera Company Sells Out New York City Center Performances, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Tokyo Fujiwara Opera Company’s Madame Butterfly drew sold-out crowds at New York City Center on Oct. 9 and 18. The production featured Japanese singers except for three American roles.
• Too Good, by Paul Itaya, page 8. A Nisei woman, Toshiko, tries to persuade her snobbish sister Aiko to befriend a Nisei soldier friend named Mas Nishiji. The story explores prejudice within the Nisei community after relocation.

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