Vol. 38, No. 15, April 9, 1954. 8 pages. View this issue
Two political fights shared the front page of this eight-page issue. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Sen. Arthur V. Watkins’s bill to restore citizenship to Americans who lost it by voting in Japanese elections during the occupation, a JACL-endorsed measure the paper called the first major gain in a long fight. Hawaii and Alaska statehood ran alongside it. Mike M. Masaoka answered Rear Adm. Zacharias’s charges against Hawaii’s Japanese Americans, Delegate Joseph Farrington praised Nisei loyalty in the Senate debate, and Masaoka, Lawrence Nakatsu and Larry Tajiri each wrote on the Senate’s passage of the combined statehood bill.
Also inside: President Eisenhower’s request to pay seven more evacuation claims awards, bills to restore veterans benefits to certain citizens and subjects in Japan, and the 10th anniversary of Cassino’s wartime destruction, where the 442nd Regimental Combat Team fought. The editorials look ahead to the Supreme Court school segregation ruling and urge eligible Nisei and Issei to register and vote.
What’s in this issue
National
- White House Seeks Payment of Larger Evacuation Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Eisenhower requested $35,722.38 to pay seven additional evacuation claims awards, a second supplemental appropriation. JACL support continues for passage of the request.
- Alaska Governor Suggests Territory Be Split, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Alaska Gov. B. Frank Heintzleman proposed dividing the territory, making the developed southern portion a state. Delegate Bartlett and the Alaska Statehood Commission opposed the proposal.
- Nisei Loyalty Lauded in Statehood Debate by Farrington, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Delegate Joseph Farrington praised the loyalty and war record of Japanese Americans during Senate statehood debate. He quoted Sen. Price Daniel and recounted the honorary Texas citizenship given to 442nd veterans.
- Zacharias Charges Refuted by Masaoka in Firm Reply, by Mike M. Masaoka, page 1. Mike Masaoka refuted Rear Adm. Zacharias’s claims that Orientals in Hawaii would be disloyal under statehood. He argued the charges appealed to racial prejudice and ignored the wartime record of Nisei soldiers.
- Let the Record Speak for Itself, Gen. Marshall Says in Refuting Dec. 7 Charges, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Gen. George C. Marshall rejected claims by Rear Adm. Robert Theebald that Roosevelt had advance warning of Pearl Harbor. He cited the congressional investigation that absolved Roosevelt by an 8-2 vote.
Incarceration & Redress
- Senate Committee OKs Watkins Bill Restoring Citizenship to Nisei Voters in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill restoring citizenship to Americans who lost nationality by voting in Japanese elections during the occupation. The JACL-endorsed measure is the first major gain in a long fight to restore citizenship.
Military & Veterans
- Bills Offered to Restore Veterans Benefits to Japanese, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Identical bills introduced by Sen. Knowland and Rep. Hosmer would restore VA benefits to certain citizens and subjects in Japan who served in the Spanish-American War and World War I. The JACL endorsed the bills, noting many recipients are aged widows in economic need.
- Nisei Dentist Opens Practice in Pasadena, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Earl M. Yusa announced the opening of his general dentistry practice in Pasadena. He is a UC dental school graduate and a former Fresno and Santa Maria resident.
Community
- Cassino Marks 10th Year of Wartime Destruction, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Italian President Einaudi dedicated a new city hall and post office in Cassino to mark the 10th anniversary of its wartime destruction. The city was leveled in 1944 battles in which the 442nd RCT fought.
- Utah Issei Naturalization Examination Set for April 23, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Salt Lake JACL chapter president Rupert Hachiya arranged special naturalization examinations for approved Issei on April 23. A refresher course for other Issei was also offered.
- Stolen Coffee Seedlings From Kona Farm, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Isamu Uemura found all 5,000 of his Guatemala coffee seedlings stolen from his South Kona farm. The theft apparently exploited the Kona coffee boom.
Commentary
- Hawaii-Alaska Statehood Bill, by Mike M. Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka analyzes the Senate’s April 1 passage of the combined Hawaii-Alaska statehood bill and the uncertain House prospects. He argues the vote is evidence of Hawaii’s qualifications and that racial undertones in opposition are declining.
- Hawaiian Statehood Fate Uncertain; Commonwealth Proposal Defeated, by Lawrence Nakatsu, page 3. Nakatsu notes the Senate rejected the commonwealth alternative for Hawaii and Alaska and then passed the combined statehood bill. He warns Hawaiians not to accept compromise proposals that would stall full statehood.
- Editorial: Momentous Decision, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial anticipates the Supreme Court school segregation ruling and its effects on federal-state power and race relations. It urges patience and understanding from leaders on both sides as segregation changes are implemented.
- Editorial: Voters, Register Today, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial urges every eligible Nisei and Issei to register and vote as a fundamental obligation of citizenship. It states JACL chapters must ensure eligible members in their communities exercise this right.
- Long-Sought Statehood, by Larry Tajiri, page 8. Tajiri examines Senate passage of the Hawaii-Alaska bill and the political calculations behind House opposition. He notes Nisei political participation and the likelihood of a future Congressional member of Japanese ancestry.
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