Naturalization for Issei and the Tule Lake renunciants, August 1948

Vol. 27, No. 6, August 7, 1948. 8 pages. View this issue

Citizenship ran through the news of this 8-page issue. On the front page, Los Angeles Mayor Fletcher Bowron voiced support for legislation that would let Issei become naturalized citizens, saying suspicions held against Japanese Americans had been dispelled during the war. Federal Judge Louis Goodman ordered citizenship restored to about 2,000 Tule Lake renunciants, and the government had until Aug. 29 to appeal. Editorials took up the ruling and the treason trial of Tomoya Kawakita, whose testimony was tied to the fate of war-stranded Nisei. Lorraine Yamasaki reported that the JACL opposed segregated Nisei army units, and Yo Tajiri covered the case of Iva Toguri d’Aquino.

Other pages looked ahead to the JACL national convention in Salt Lake City, set for Sept. 3-5, with about 500 delegates and boosters expected. Marion Tajiri wrote about two Nisei veterans who built their own homes in East Palo Alto. Sports pages followed boxer Bob Takeshita and the Zebras baseball team, and a short story by Den Morey appeared on page 5.

What’s in this issue

National

• Bowron Backs Naturalization Legislation for Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Los Angeles Mayor Fletcher Bowron expressed support for legislation allowing Issei to become naturalized citizens. He stressed that suspicions held against Japanese Americans had been dispelled during the war and called Nisei among the best citizens of Los Angeles.
• “Tokyo Rose” Declares She Has Never Been Notified by U.S., by Yo Tajiri, page 1. Iva Toguri d’Aquino, known as Tokyo Rose, told a Stars and Stripes reporter that she had never been officially approached by the Department of Justice. She said she has decided against further interviews and has no plans for the future.
• Two Attorneys Prepare Case on “Tokyo Rose”, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Justice Department assigned two attorneys to prosecute Iva Toguri d’Aquino for treason over propaganda broadcasts. Evidence will be presented to a grand jury once she is returned to the United States.
• Dilemma of Two War-Stranded Nisei Dramatized at Trial, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Testimony at the Kawakita trial highlighted the parallel lives of Tomoya Kawakita and witness Meiji Fujizawa, two American-born men caught in Japan by war. The outcome may determine whether Fujizawa can return to the United States.
• Mother Approves of Son’s Marriage to Kurusu Girl, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mrs. Marion Maddox said she was very pleased by the marriage of her son, Army Lieutenant William Maddox Jr., to Jaye Kurusu, daughter of former Japanese envoy Saburo Kurusu. She said she had received letters and gifts from her daughter-in-law.
• Still Face Difficulty in Obtaining Title Insurance in California Property Deals, by P.C. Staff, page 2. JACL regional director Joe Grant Masaoka reported that title insurance companies continue to refuse or condition coverage for Nisei property owners in California. He said the matter can only be resolved through a constitutional test of the anti-alien land laws.
• U.S. Considers Appeal Over Renunciants, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Federal Judge Louis Goodman ordered restoration of citizenship to about 2,000 Tule Lake renunciants, and the government has until Aug. 29 to appeal. The order will take effect if no appeal is filed.
• Nisei May Be Eligible for Japan Tours, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Seven-day guided tours of Japan are open only to holders of valid U.S. passports, which would likely include Nisei but exclude Issei. State Department officials said no side trips or private errands are permitted during the tours.
• Takahashi Case Ruling May Affect Hawaii Fishing Restrictions, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A U.S. Supreme Court decision invalidating an anti-alien fishing restriction in California may open fishing in Hawaii’s waters to Japanese and Filipino alien fishermen. Territorial Attorney General Walter Ackerman has recommended delaying prosecutions pending interpretation.
• ADC Urges Inclusion of Japan in Reduction of Postal Rate, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The JACL ADC asked ECA Administrator Paul Hoffman to include Occupied Japan in reduced parcel post rates for relief packages. Japan was excluded because it is not a participating country under the Economic Cooperation Act.

JACL

• Boosters Will Attend National Convention in Salt Lake City, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Approximately 500 delegates and boosters from 70 JACL chapters are expected at the tenth biennial national convention in Salt Lake City, Sept. 3-5. Convention planning includes business sessions, golf and bridge tournaments, an outing at Brighton, and a dance.

Incarceration & Redress

• JACL Opposes Activation of Future Segregated Units for Japanese American GIs, by Lorraine Yamasaki, page 1. With the reactivation of the Selective Service, the JACL has adopted a national policy opposing segregation of Nisei soldiers, as it wrote to Selective Service and Army leaders. The organization argues that Japanese Americans should be accepted as ordinary American soldiers.
• Tule Lake Renunciant Seeks Return of Citizenship Rights, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hiroshi Murakoshi, who renounced his citizenship while interned at Tule Lake in 1945, filed suit to regain it, claiming the renunciation was coerced. He also claims he was refused a passport by the American Consulate in Yokohama.
• Defense Witness Presents Alibi for Tomoya Kawakita in Seventh Week of Trial, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Defense witnesses testified at the treason trial of Tomoya Kawakita, an interpreter at the Oeyama prison camp. Witnesses described Kawakita as helping prisoners of war and provided an alibi for one charged incident.
• Believe Claims Law Limitation on Charges Applies to All, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The JACL ADC asked whether the 10 percent limit on attorneys’ fees under the Evacuation Claims Law applies to non-lawyers such as accountants and interpreters. Justice Department officials indicated the term refers to anyone who aids claimants.
• Citizenship Restored, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Pacific Citizen reprints a Washington Post editorial praising Judge Goodman’s decision to restore citizenship to Tule Lake renunciants. The editorial calls the wartime treatment of Japanese Americans shameful.

Community

• Pacific Southwest Chapters to Hold Council Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The pre-convention meeting of the Pacific Southwest JACL district council will be held in Santa Barbara on Aug. 8. National executive secretary Masao Satow will speak on the upcoming national convention.
• Nisei Still Face Difficulty in Obtaining Title Insurance, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Joe Grant Masaoka reported that title insurance companies continue to refuse coverage for Nisei land holders in California. He called for a constitutional test of anti-alien land laws.
• Entertaining the Relatives, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A columnist reflects on a visit from relatives and the lesson of not overcommitting to activities. The column also includes a lighthearted observation about the writer’s young daughter Susan.
• Nisei on Trial, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The San Francisco JACL will stage a mock trial on Aug. 19 to examine how Nisei can increase civic participation. Two Nisei representing Joe and Ann Nisei will face a bench of three judges.
• Four Strandees Return Home Aboard Wilson, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Forty-one war-stranded Nisei arrived in San Francisco aboard the Wilson, along with four Tokyo nurses coming to study in the United States and Canada. The nurses were awarded Rockefeller Foundation scholarships.
• Alberta Polls to Open to Canadian Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Japanese Canadians in Alberta will vote for the first time in the Aug. 17 provincial election after Premier Manning granted them permanent residency and citizenship rights. Many Canadian Issei have been pursuing naturalization.
• Memorial Service for Nisei GIs Planned by Buddhists, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A memorial service for Buddhist Nisei killed in World War II will be held Aug. 22 at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno as part of the Buddhist Golden Jubilee. Lt. Col. Charles D’Orsa will be the main speaker.
• Eastern JACL Chapters Hold Council Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Eastern JACL district council met in New York to discuss issues for the national convention in Salt Lake City. Delegates also commended Mike Masaoka for his work on passing legislation and reaffirmed their stance on evacuee claims.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei Veterans Find Answer to Housing Problem, by Marion Tajiri, page 2. Two Nisei veterans, Wally Funabiki and Taro Yamamura, built their own modern homes in East Palo Alto after finding existing housing too expensive and dull. The houses feature flat roofs, concrete floors, and redwood siding, costing about $8.50 per square foot.
• Inouye Will Lead Hawaii Delegation to DAV Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Commander Daniel K. Inouye will lead a five-man Hawaii delegation to the Disabled American Veterans national convention in New York. The group voted to assist with burials of 442nd and 100th Battalion members being returned to Hawaii.

Commentary

• Kawakita Case By-Product, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial argues that the government’s position in the Kawakita trial that the defendant remains a U.S. national could clear the way for several thousand war-stranded Nisei to return. It notes that many have been denied passports for technical reasons that the case may clarify.
• Spy Scares and Vagaries, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial traces how unfounded spy and sabotage suspicions against Japanese Americans shaped General DeWitt’s evacuation decision. It notes that the FCC had refuted claims of illegal radio signaling before evacuation, and that no sabotage by Japanese Americans was ever documented.
• From Insanity to Kinsey, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A columnist recounts a discussion among four Denver-area Nisei and community members covering topics from Nisei finances to Denver as a place to live. Participants shared opinions on Nisei economic progress relative to the Issei.
• Simple and Unimaginative, by Den Morey, page 5. A short story in which Misako Yamato wonders how her younger brother Tosh met his wife Midori. Midori explains that they met after a car accident and that their courtship was ordinary.

Arts & Entertainment

• Japanese American Designs Wallpaper for Chicago Firm, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Mary Takahashi, a University of California optometry graduate, is the only woman designer in the design department of United Wallpaper Co. in Chicago. She also teaches flower arrangement and lectures on design.
• Kiyoshi Nakama Enters Famed Lake Ontario Swimming Race, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Former Ohio State swimming star Kiyoshi Nakama will make his professional debut in the 10-mile Lake Ontario race on Sept. 3. He holds the world mile swim record and has won 18 National AAU championships.

Sports

• Bob Takeshita Loses Decision to Max Docusen, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Nisei welterweight Robert Takeshita lost a ten-round decision to Maxie Docusen in Honolulu, his first loss in 30 pro bouts. Docusen’s sharp counterpunching won the decision before 17,334 fans.
• Zebras Move Ahead in Ball League, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The San Jose Zebras took a half-game lead in the northern California Nisei baseball league with an 18-6 win over Sebastopol. Two games remain on the Zebra schedule.

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