14-12-4
Manzanar, Calif.
February 18, 1943

Dear Joseph,

Being a very poor correspondent, it has taken all this time to write you again. Excuse please. I've been so dog-gone busy with school work, that I just can't get the time to write real steady. As you probably know, school ends (this semester) March 5th and we are all getting exams to determine whether we are capable of passing, so like everyone else I've been studying like a dog. Ask Mama or "Moscow." You have probably got the glasses now, and I don't know if you paid a down payment or not but the cost was cheap, eight dollars and some odd cents. Mama said, you really got "high tone" glasses and I sure agree with her. "Moscow" said that you are going Hollywood style. I hoped they reached undamaged, because we couldn't register them. Has George Sakata reached Chicago yet? (over)

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Well, he has your January pay check, and you know what, when I went to return his Glendale annual, he wouldn't take it back. I couldn't figure it out; I guess he don't want it any more.

I sent back to Mr. Wetzel in L.A. and had my P.A. system sent up and have been getting a lot of fun out of it recently. I also sent back for my other junk and I am expecting it soon. The reason I sent for it was because since the chances of moving out are so great, that it is a lot better for me to have it with me and haul it around on Government money.

Everyone is kind of excited in Manzanar because of registration. Every person 17 years and older was registered first for a cencus type of registration, and second for a Army registration. The Army registration involves questions such as, "Are you loyal to the U.S and willing to serve in the Armed forces wherever ordered?" (next page)

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You would be surprised how pro-Axis this camp has turned. In the registration, 15 out of blocks 1 to 18 volunteered for the Armed forces and most of the fellows signed disloyal and are planning to repatriate. Whether they volunteer or not, the Army heads in camp have received orders from Washington to draft everyone eighteen years or older. Since the volunteering was so ineffective, they decided to draft us. So it looks as though I'm good as in the army around Sept. 4th. Mama is kind of worried over the matter, and feels that one son is bad enough to be away than to have two gone. Kind of gives me a funny feeling inside too. If we are going to move, mama said to hang on to the suit-cases and that we'll be able to manage. When we are drafted, we will not be segregatted into the various parts of the country but we will form a special combat unit to mold public opinion about the Japanese loyalty. So don't be (over)

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surprised if you hear from me at Camp Shelby, Mississippi where we are to be drafted. Mama is worried about you thinking that perhaps you might get drafted also, and this effort to finish your education will be in vain. Let us know anything that materializes of that sort.

Well, the weather has been just super lately and I kind of got a touch of spring fever. The sun although just right kind of makes me sleepy. No, wind! Think of it, no dust storms and not to hot. Just like back home, but can't guarantee how long it will keep up. I'm writing here in the library and they're kicking everyone out so I'll close. By the way, had any luck on the soldering iron? Oh, well keep trying. Will promise to write again soon.

Your Loving brother,

Towru Nagano