Vol. 13, No. 49, January 1941. 10 pages. View this issue
The issue opened with a letter of protest. JACL National President Saburo Kido wrote to Senator Guy Gillette of Iowa after the senator urged an investigation into reports that Japanese American citizens were being “conscripted” for espionage on the West Coast and Hawaii. Kido said the charge placed loyal citizens in an unfavorable light and offered cooperation in any inquiry. Elsewhere, Kido’s own column looked at California civil rights law on equal accommodations, and a year-end review recalled six new chapters, the Portland convention and his election as president.
The Intermountain District convention in Salt Lake City filled several pages, with a bid for the 1944 national convention, Walter Tsukamoto’s address and a loyalty pledge presented to Utah’s Secretary of State. Louis Adamic sent a letter, and Goro Murata wrote about Nisei in Japan. Chapter histories from Santa Clara, Salinas and Sonoma close the issue.
What’s in this issue
Incarceration & Redress
- Reply to Gillette’s Charges, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL National President Saburo Kido wrote to Senator Guy Gillette protesting the charge that Japanese American citizens were being conscripted for espionage on the West Coast and Hawaii. Kido stated that the JACL is interested in protecting the good name of loyal Japanese American citizens and offered cooperation in any investigation.
Commentary
- Year of the Snake, page 1. This piece explains the Japanese zodiac and the significance of the snake in 1941, drawing on folklore, proverbs, and symbolism. It describes the serpent’s associations with Benten and various superstitions and expressions in Japanese culture.
- Opening a New Year, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial urges chapters to remit outstanding Christmas edition advertising balances and encourages members to use the Pacific Citizen to express opinions and share chapter achievements. It calls on chapters to unite and contribute constructively in the new year.
- Editor’s Corner: Notes and Comments, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editor praises the success of the Christmas special edition and its 5000-copy circulation, and reflects on the JACL’s National Convention and Intermountain District meeting. The column also discusses chapter membership dues and the importance of retaining existing members.
- Civil Rights in California, by Saburo Kido, page 3. Kido examines California Civil Code sections 51-54, which guarantee full and equal accommodations to citizens and penalize discrimination based on race or color. He quotes a Court of Appeals decision holding that a bar refusing service to Black patrons violated these provisions.
- Letter from Louis Adamic, by Louis Adamic, page 5. Author Louis Adamic declines to write a formal article but shares a passage from his story about a young American with a Japanese face, emphasizing the need for Nisei to prove themselves. He also invites Nisei writers to submit work to COMMON GROUND magazine.
- Nisei in Japan: Caught in Cross Currents, by Goro Murata, page 5. Murata reports that many Nisei are leaving Japan for America due to State Department advice, while others remain to continue their journalistic, missionary, teaching, and business work. He argues that Nisei in Japan can help smooth strained relations between the two countries.
Community
- Japanese Float Wins Prize at Rose Parade, page 1. A Japanese float titled Cherry Blossom won the theme prize at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade in Los Angeles. Sponsored by Los Angeles JACL and other groups, the float depicted the capitol at Washington, D.C., and carried five Nisei girls.
- 1940 Passes in Review: Hail to 1941, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This year-end review covers JACL developments in 1940, including six new chapters joining the national body, the Portland national convention, and the election of Saburo Kido as national president. It also recounts the Intermountain District formation, the San Francisco World’s Fair celebrations, and conscription effects on Nisei.
- Bid for ’44 Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Intermountain Nisei at their district convention in Salt Lake City voted to prepare a bid to host the 1944 national JACL convention. Officers outlined plans including attending the 1942 Oakland convention and revising the district constitution.
- Buy Land, Advice, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Thomas M. Yego, president of the Nisei Farmers Federation of California, urged Nisei farmers to buy land, diversify their farming, and prepare for national defense jobs. He also dismissed rumors of Japanese American spies as nonsense.
- Walter Tsukamoto Addresses Intermountain Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Past National President Walter Tsukamoto told the Intermountain District Council convention that Japanese American men of draft age had registered and were ready to serve. He outlined JACL purposes and noted the area was free of the suspicion found on the West Coast.
- Pledge Presented to Secretary of State, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Delegates to the Intermountain convention presented a loyalty pledge to Utah Secretary of State E. E. Monson for forwarding to President Roosevelt. Monson urged listeners to understand democratic philosophy and help preserve free government.
- 1941 Intermountain Heads Named, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The Intermountain District Council announced its 1941 officers, with Mike Masaoka reelected chairman. The four-day convention closed after religious services and tournaments.
- Northern California Project: Santa Clara, Salinas, and Sonoma Histories, by Mitsuie Miyata; Saburo Sugawara; Harry Shirachi; Masao Takeshita, page 10. Three chapter historians report on the Japanese American communities of Santa Clara County, Sonoma County, and the Salinas Valley, covering settlement history, occupations, organizations, and community relations. The reports note the growth of these communities and their civic contributions.
National
- Success Via NYA, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The article describes the National Youth Administration’s out-of-school and student work programs that provide jobs and training to young people. It details the types of projects, wages, eligibility requirements, and resident project openings.
- Alien Registration Completed, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The federal alien registration, which collected biographical data and fingerprints from about 4.5 million noncitizens, ended December 26. Officials noted it proceeded with minimal confusion and revealed nearly a million more foreigners than anticipated.
Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.