Decision to incarcerate | Densho Digital Repository

doc Memo Re: General DeWitt's report on the Japanese evacuation (ddr-densho-67-75)

Memo from Francis Biddle to Harold Ickes on DeWitt's Final Report. Biddle informs Ickes that parts of DeWitt's report have been refuted by the Federal Communications Commission. Suggests that the information the government received about ship-to-shore signaling and other sabotage was inaccurate.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-75/

doc Memo from General Emmons to John McCloy (ddr-densho-67-51)

Memo from General Emmons to John McCloy on nisei in the military. Gives statistics on Nisei in the military in Hawaii and suggests that even though they stopped accepting Nisei in the military creating an all-Nisei combat unit would improve security issues in Hawaii. Emmons says that 300 Nisei already volunteered, an indication of potential success …

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-51/

doc Memo: "Summary of Report on Loyal West Coast Japanese" (ddr-densho-67-8)

Memorandum from John Franklin Carter summarizing Curtis Munson's reports regarding the Japanese Americans on the West Coast.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-8/

doc Memo to Francis Biddle from Congressman Ward Johnson (ddr-densho-67-128)

Memo to Francis Biddle from California Congressman Ward Johnson urging immediate incarceration of Japanese Americans.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-128/

doc Letter to President Roosevelt from Elmer Davis (ddr-densho-67-82)

Letter to President Roosevelt from Elmer Davis. Davis suggests that President Roosevelt publicly respond to allegations that the war is racial. Also suggests that the President open voluntary enlistment to the evacuees. Seems concerned about Japanese propaganda in Asia, which also calls the war a "racial war." Davis urges the President to consider intelligence reports of …

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-82/

doc Letter from Col. William Scobey to Gen. Delos Emmons (ddr-densho-67-55)

Letter from Col. William Scobey to Gen. Delos Emmons on the status of Japanese Americans on mainland. Discusses failure of voluntary induction in the army due to "resentment" and "anti-American" kibei and issei. Mentions segregation of loyals and disloyals as not happening because of lack of space. Suggests to Emmons that these complications have prevented evacuation …

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-55/

doc Report: "A War-Time Problem: The Japanese in Hawaii" (ddr-densho-67-63)

Extensive report based mainly on observations and U.S. census materials. Argues that Japanese are a threat to military security in Hawaii and something must be done to handle the situation. Presents a number of facts that he thinks support this, analyzes these facts, and suggests possible plans. These include total evacuation of certain areas, creation of …

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-63/

doc Letter from the FCC to Francis Biddle (ddr-densho-67-76)

Letter from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to Francis Biddle on radio signaling as described in DeWitt's Final Report. The FCC reviewed their records and found that there was no evidence of any illegal signaling during Dec. 1941 - July 1942. The FCC also refuted two other things that DeWitt told Biddle justifying evacuation - the …

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-76/

doc Letter from Francis Biddle to Henry Stimson (ddr-densho-67-99)

Letter from Francis Biddle to Henry Stimson discussing possibility of evacuation. Biddle states that the Department of Justice has no authority to evacuate American citizens and legal problems could arise if the army chooses to evacuate. Urges Stimson to consider his suggestions before he makes a decision.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-99/

doc Excerpt from a memo from J. Edgar Hoover to Francis Biddle (ddr-densho-67-102)

Excerpt from a memo from J. Edgar Hoover to Francis Biddle regarding evacuation. Hoover assesses the situation on the West Coast due to the pending Executive Order. Concludes that although mass removal is based on race hysteria, Japanese Americans still pose a threat because of their loyalty to Japan. Suggests that in the case of an …

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-102/

doc Letter to Francis Biddle from Helen Harris protesting internment (ddr-densho-67-127)

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-127/

doc C.B. Munson's "Report and Suggestions Regarding Handling Japanese Question on the Coast" (ddr-densho-67-5)

Suggestions in this report include accepting nisei into the war effort and defense industries, and putting responsibility for behavior and food production on nisei groups and leaders.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-5/

doc Memo to Edward Ennis from J.L. Burling (ddr-densho-67-103)

Memo to Edward Ennis from J.L. Burling on DeWitt's final report and the Korematsu brief. States that the Department of War and the Department of Justice are fighting over a footnote in the Korematsu brief that mentions the Final Report. They eventually compromise in order to reduce departmental tension.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-103/

doc Harper's Magazine article: "Japanese in America: the Problem and Solution" (ddr-densho-67-129)

Harper's magazine article written by an Intelligence officer. He describes evacuation and internment, critiques internment and says that most of the internees are loyal.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-129/

doc Transcript of internment hearing (ddr-densho-314-1)

Besides the transcript of the internment hearing, this document also includes Kasuichi Takanishi's warrant of arrest.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-314-1/

doc Intelligence memo: "Individuals Blacklisted by Nisei" (ddr-densho-274-24)

Intelligence memo on individuals in the Japanese American community reported to be "suspicious" by other Japanese Americans. Information was provided by a handful of nisei informants, whose opinions were "possibly...colored by personal feelings or desire for gain."

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-274-24/

doc Pacific Citizen, Vol. 84, No. 5 (February 11, 1977) (ddr-pc-49-5)

Selected article titles: "Reactions to Ariyoshi Plan to Control Immigration Mixed" (p.1), "Colorado Issei Pioneer: Naoichi Hokasono" (p.1), "Anti-Evacuation Stance of Justice Dept. Recalled" (p.1-2), "For E-1' Visa Immigrant Students in Washington: Resident Tuition Privilege Aim" (p.3), "Summary of Planning Conference on Nisei Retirement" (p.4), "Pardon for Iva Toguri" (p.5).

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-pc-49-5/

doc Pacific Citizen, Vol. 89, No. 2056 (August 17, 1979) (ddr-pc-51-32)

Selected article titles: "Issei Naturalization Class Reactivating" (p. 1), "Job Bias Cases by Japanese Firms in U.S. Viewed" (p. 1), "Assemblyman Mori's Day of Remembrance Bill Signed" (p. 1), and "Question and Answer Fact Sheet: Didn't Pearl Harbor Justify Your Detention?" (pp. 5, 7).

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-pc-51-32/

doc "Japanese on the West Coast" (ddr-densho-122-552)

Incomplete copy of the Munson Report, concluding that there is "no Japanese 'problem' on the Coast"

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-552/

doc "Report on the Japanese Question" (ddr-densho-122-558)

Report submitted by Kenneth Ringle to Chief of Naval Operations for 11th Naval Distrct, arguing against mass incarceration of Japanese Americans

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-558/

doc Memo to Mr. Eisenhower at WRA from Mike Masaoka (ddr-densho-122-711)

Defining status of Kibei and Nisei family, and supporting segregation of Japanese Americans

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-711/

doc American-made refugees (ddr-densho-381-3)

A report compiling reasons why the forced evacuation of Japanese-Americans from the West Coast was unnecessary and motivated by war hysteria. The report also brings up questions about the constitutionality of the evacuation, in addition to spelling out the effects the evacuation has had in terms of human suffering and economic losses. The report concludes with …

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-381-3/

doc Pacific Citizen, Vol. 74, No. 6 (February 18, 1972) (ddr-pc-44-6)

Selected article titles: "Seattle Fire Chief Raps Article Poking Fun at Asians, Chicanos" (p.1), "L.A. High Tensions Still Unabated" (p.1), "Mike Masaoka Hands in Notice to Terminate" (p.1), "Fear of Hysteria Led to Evacuation" (p.3-4), "Spring Pilgrimage to Manzanar on Mar. 25 Prelude to Dedication" (p.3-4).

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-pc-44-6/

doc Duplicate of 2016.23.64 (ddr-one-5-157)

Unsigned duplicate of 2016.23.64.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-157/

doc Court order on the internment of Keizaburo Koyama (ddr-one-5-163)

Photocopy of a declassified court order stating that Keizaburo Koyama, having been found to be an enemy alien, be interned immediately.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-163/