Vol. 37, No. 15, October 9, 1953. 8 pages. View this issue
The killing of Dr. Ralph B. Swain, a State Department entomologist shot on the Pan-American Highway near Mexico City while his Nisei wife and children watched, led the front page. Mexican authorities rounded up suspects and vowed to capture the killers. Also on page one, JACL representatives Edward J. Ennis and Mike Masaoka asked the Immigration and Naturalization Service to review how it treated Issei naturalization applicants who were not drafted in World War I. Inside, Mike M. Masaoka wrote about Earl Warren and the court cases still ahead for Japanese Americans.
The visit of Crown Prince Akihito ran through the issue, from Harry K. Honda’s account of the crowds in Los Angeles to a football game at Berkeley. Tamotsu Murayama retold the story of John Manjiro Nakahama, and a federal court declared Sadami Martha Kozuki a U.S. national after her renunciation at Tule Lake. Larry Tajiri and Tats Kushida contributed columns, and golf, bowling and judo news filled page six.
What’s in this issue
Incarceration & Redress
- Bandits Slay U.S. Husband of Colorado-Born Nisei Official, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Ralph B. Swain, a U.S. State Department entomologist, was shot and killed by bandits on the Pan-American Highway near Mexico City while his Nisei wife and children watched. Mexican authorities rounded up suspects and vowed to capture the killers.
- Renunciant Regains U.S. Citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sadami Martha Kozuki was declared a U.S. national by a federal court after renouncing her citizenship at Tule Lake under duress. She had been denied a passport in Japan and filed suit for declaratory judgment.
National
- Naturalization Issei WWI Draft Status Questioned by JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL representatives Edward J. Ennis and Mike Masaoka asked the Immigration and Naturalization Service to review its treatment of Issei naturalization applicants who were not drafted in World War I. They argued that the presumption of exemption is arbitrary and contrary to congressional intent.
- U.S. Deports Salt-Water Wetbacks, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Two Japanese university students, Harry Y. Arii and Koichi Kurokawa, were ordered deported after swimming ashore in Hawaii as stowaways. They received suspended six-month sentences and hope to reenter the United States legally.
- Naturalized Denver Women Acknowledge JACL Services, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Twenty-three Issei women naturalized in Denver recognized JACL interpreter services and assistance at the Citizenship Day ceremony. Individual donations were collected and a joint contribution of $70 was made to the Denver Mile-Hi JACL chapter.
- Anti-Nisei Propagandist May Enter Japan Election, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mrs. Ayako Ishigaki, a former New York resident, is reportedly preparing to run for the House of Councillors in Japan. She has been publishing anti-U.S. and anti-Nisei articles in the Japanese press.
Community
- ICU Scholarship Donors, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Church-related student groups at 23 American colleges contributed $250 scholarships for Japanese students at International Christian University in Tokyo. Each contributing school also received a Japanese cherry tree for its campus.
- Mountain Plains District Meet Set Nov. 28-29, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Mountain Plains JACL district will hold a conference in Denver over Thanksgiving weekend, hosted by the Mile-Hi JACL. A bowling tournament for Nisei men will be held in conjunction with the meeting.
- Cleveland PTA Group Hears Talk on Japanese Dolls and Festival, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Mrs. Katsuichi Satow described Japanese doll customs and displayed 14 dolls she brought to the United States at a Fairview Park School PTA meeting. She explained the Girls’ and Boys’ festival traditions.
- Downtown Los Angeles JACL Naturalization Class, by P.C. Staff, page 4. About 50 students are enrolled in the Downtown Los Angeles JACL chapter’s naturalization class taught by Eiji Tanabe. Volunteers assisted with enrollment.
Military & Veterans
- Nisei Veteran Lefty Ishihara Named Co-Chairman for 1958 Reunion, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Lefty Ishihara and Jane Kachino were named co-general chairmen of the 15th 442nd RCT reunion planned for 1958. Both attended the 10th anniversary reunion in Hawaii.
- DSC Medal Awarded to Hawaiian Nisei Now Civilian at Eniwetok, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Atsuo Miura of Wailuku, Maui, a civilian employee at Eniwetok, received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism as a corporal in Korea in 1952. The citation describes his assault on an enemy trench and his action against a grenade.
- Shy Medal of Honor Winner Made Honorary Arizona Citizen at Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sgt. Hiroshi Miyamura of Gallup, a Medal of Honor recipient, was honored at a banquet in Glendale and made an honorary Arizona citizen. He described the Communist indoctrination he endured as a prisoner of war.
Commentary
- Chief Justice Warren, by Mike M. Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reflects on Earl Warren’s record, from his role in supporting the wartime evacuation to his later appointment of Nisei John Aiso to the bench. He suggests Warren’s tenure as Chief Justice will shape civil rights and the many pending cases affecting Japanese Americans.
- Washington Newsletter: Mike Masaoka on Earl Warren and Japanese Americans, by Mike M. Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka argues that new test cases affecting persons of Japanese ancestry will continue to reach the courts despite nullified alien land laws. He lists possible litigation areas including evacuation claims, immigration, and vested property.
- The Sou’Wester: Unsung Heroes of JACL, by Tats Kushida, page 5. Kushida praises the JACL chapter presidents and cabinet members who carry the organization’s workload despite criticism. He salutes leaders across Southern California and Arizona who have served the community.
- Editorial: Chief Justice Warren, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editors praise Earl Warren, a Scandinavian American born in Li’l Tokio, for his integrity and middle-of-the-road philosophy as he becomes Chief Justice. They compare his appointment to the principled vision of the Founding Fathers.
- Vagaries: Teahouse of the August Moon Cast Includes Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A column notes that a Broadway production of John Patrick’s play Teahouse of the August Moon features about a dozen Japanese American actors, including former JACL staffer Dick Akagi. The play opened in New Haven to strong reviews.
- From the Frying Pan: School Days, by Larry Tajiri, page 8. Larry Tajiri reflects on the passage of ten years since leaving Heart Mountain and on his children starting school. He describes his son Pete’s experiences in kindergarten.
- Very Truly Yours: Crown Prince Akihito’s Visit, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Honda describes the enthusiastic reception of Crown Prince Akihito by Japanese Americans in Los Angeles during his four-week U.S. visit. He notes the emotional crowds, including Issei who waited for hours along First Street.
- Harry K. Honda Column: Crown Prince Visit, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Honda describes the enthusiasm of the crowds greeting the Crown Prince in downtown Los Angeles. He notes the feelings of Issei and Nisei who viewed the visit as a historic moment.
In-Depth
- Forgotten Tales of Manjiro, First Japanese in U.S., Being Uncovered, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. Researchers are uncovering the story of John Manjiro Nakahama, a Japanese fisherman rescued at sea who became the first Japanese to reach America and later served as an interpreter. Miss Emily Warinner’s studies, requested by the U.S. Navy, revive forgotten episodes of early Japan-America relations.
Sports
- Crown Prince Roofs for California as Bears Dumped by Ohio State, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Crown Prince Akihito attended his first American football game at Berkeley, where Ohio State defeated California 33-19. He was given play-by-play explanations in Japanese during the game.
- Shirai to Defend Title Oct. 27, by P.C. Staff, page 6. World flyweight champion Yoshio Shirai will defend his title against Terry Allen of England on Oct. 27 in Tokyo. The bout was postponed after Shirai suffered an eye cut in a prior fight.
- Lodi High Fullback Sparkling, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nobi Tamura, a fullback for Lodi High School, scored two touchdowns in a 14-6 win over Merced. He has scored in every game this season.
- 1000 Club Golf Tournament Results for Chicago, by P.C. Staff, page 6. About 100 golfers competed in Chicago JACL’s third annual golf tournament at Silver Lake. Bob Takami shot the low gross and several flight winners were announced.
- Willowick Golf Tournament Won by Alves, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A unique beat-the-pro tournament at Willowick drew 76 Nisei golfers, with Yoshitomi’s effort highlighted. Assistant pro Kimbo Yoshitomi organized the event.
- Ervin Furukawa Wins Northwest Nisei Golf Title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Ervin Furukawa of Seattle won the Pacific Northwest Nisei golf championship with a 4-and-2 victory in a 36-hole playoff. It was his third title this year.
- Rocky Mountain, Intermountain Bowlers Invited, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nisei bowlers from the Intermountain and Plains areas are invited to a Mountain Plains JACL bowling tournament in Denver on Nov. 28-29. Singles, doubles, and team events will be offered.
- North-South Judo Journey Oct. 18, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A top Los Angeles judo team will travel north to compete against Northern California judoists in San Francisco on Oct. 18. Last year the Northern squad won the team title.
Obituaries
- Dr. Takashi Furusawa Dies After Greeting Crown Prince, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Dr. Takashi Furusawa, a prominent Issei physician, died of a heart attack shortly after greeting Crown Prince Akihito at the Ambassador Hotel. The Prince sent a bouquet of flowers to his widow, a historic gesture.
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