Vol. 19, No. 21, November 25, 1944. 4 pages. View this issue
President Roosevelt’s words about Japanese American soldiers led this four-page issue. At his November 21 press conference he praised the combat record of units in Italy and France and backed the War Relocation Authority’s resettlement program. Gov. Earl Warren of California said the state would honor the rights of Japanese Americans if military necessity no longer required exclusion. A casualty report listed 22 killed and 79 wounded on the French front, presumed to be men of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. An editorial and a news story described James Yamamoto’s return to his berry farm near San Jose.
On the back page, the JACL announced its second post-evacuation national conference, set for Salt Lake City from December 1 to 3, with Dillon Myer among the speakers. Joe E. Brown described the Japanese American soldiers he met in Italy. Other items covered a Minneapolis citizens’ committee formed over a dispute about a chick sexing school, and a new liaison group of about 300 Nisei in Washington, D.C.
What’s in this issue
National
- President Roosevelt Praises “Wonderful” Combat Record of Japanese American Soldiers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Roosevelt hailed the combat record of Japanese American units in Italy and France at his November 21 press conference. He supported the War Relocation Authority’s resettlement program and said Japanese American citizens could be readily absorbed across the country.
Incarceration & Redress
- Gov. Warren Says California Will Give “Full Recognition” to Nisei Citizens Upon Return, by P.C. Staff, page 1. California Governor Earl Warren stated that if military necessity no longer requires exclusion, the state will honor the constitutional and statutory rights of Japanese Americans. He argued the state is powerless to prevent their return and outlined concerns about conditions in California.
Military & Veterans
- 22 Japanese Americans Killed, 79 Wounded on French Front, by P.C. Staff, page 1. According to War Department information, 22 Nisei soldiers were killed, 79 wounded, and six missing in action on the French front, presumed to be members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The Pacific Citizen compiled an unofficial list of casualties from family reports and relocation center newspapers.
- Joe E. Brown Says Japanese Americans Wonderful, Loyal Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Comedian Joe E. Brown recounted seeing Japanese American soldiers in Italy, including wounded men in front-line hospitals. He urged Americans to stop hating them, warning that hatred leads to war.
Commentary
- A Nisei Goes Home, by P.C. Staff, page 2. James Yamamoto’s return to his berry farm near San Jose effectively ended the exclusion of evacuees from the Pacific coast, even though the military ban remained. The editorial praises fair-minded West Coast newspapers and argues that returns should be a right rather than a discretionary privilege.
Community
- Friends Welcome Evacuee Back, by P.C. Staff, page 3. James Yamamoto returned quietly to his farm near San Jose and was welcomed by school friends and neighbors. Local sentiment was largely supportive, though the return drew protests from some state and veterans groups.
- Minneapolis Group Organized To Protect Rights of Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A Citizens’ Committee for the Protection of American Rights was formed in Minneapolis amid a neighborhood dispute over a chick sexing school staffed by Japanese Americans. Health officials and committee members found the school clean and well run, and the committee argued the objections were racially motivated.
- Nisei in Washington Form Liaison Group, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Approximately 300 Nisei in Washington, D.C., elected an Executive Council to serve as liaison with the Washington Citizens’ Committee. The council then selected its officers, including chairman John Kitasako.
JACL
- JACL Conference to Discuss Japanese American Problems, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The second post-evacuation JACL national conference will be held in Salt Lake City from December 1 to 3 to address issues affecting Japanese Americans. Speakers will include WRA director Dillon Myer and several civil liberties and church representatives.
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