SANITY ASKED IN RETURN OF JAPS

Formation of a group, with the announced purpose of preventing the return of Japanese to the White River and Puyallup Valleys, encountered stiff opposition today as pleas were made for "unity and sanity" in dealing with the controversial situation.

Benjamin Smith of Kent, announced last night that the "Remember Pearl Harbor League," of which he is president, is mapping an "orderly program" to bar Japanese from the farming areas.

Smith declared matter-of-factly that feeling against the return of the Japanese to the farms they operated prior to removal by the Army has remained strong in the area, and represents an attitude which cannot be ignored.

Plans to Be Announced

"A great many people believe the Japs should not be permitted to return, feeling very definitely that the best interests of the communities involved will be served by such a solution," Smith said. "We have made plans to achieve this result in an orderly way, and the plans will be announced soon."

"They can form whatever groups they please," declared Sheriff Harlan S. Callahan, "but the law still stands. If these returning Japanese have been okayed by the federal government, and checked out as loyal citizens, they are entitled to the same protection as anyone else, and they are going to get it."

Jensen Urges Rights

The Rev. Dr. Harold V. Jensen, pastor of the First Baptist Church, urged that democracy and the rights of American citizens not be jeopardized by unconsidered actions.

"Every person, regardless of race or national background, who is known to be disloyal or who is personally under suspicion of disloyalty, should of course be properly restricted," Jensen said.

"However, permanently to restrict American citizens whose loyalty has been carefully determined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Army and Navy Intelligence officers, would be to undermine the very democracy for which our men, including many Americans of Japanese ancestry, are fighting and dying.

Sanity Is Asked

"It would be a stab in the back of our fighting men overseas. Obviously, it would be a complete denial of Christian principles. This is a situation which calls for unity and sanity."

Arthur G. Barnett, Seattle attorney, described the move as a "violation of the rules of fair play."

"The Army has classified these people as acceptable and loyal," Barnett said. "It would seem that this newly formed league is opposition the Army as well as the Japanese in giving vent to their prejudices.

"Many of our Japanese-Americans are fighting with the armed forces. They have as much right as any other soldiers to ask, 'Is this what we are fighting for?' Certainly if there are any specific charges against these people, there is only one place to take them -- to responsible government authorities."

Officers of League

Smith disclosed that elected representatives from Renton, Kent, Auburn, Sumner, Puyallup, Orting and Fife attended two meetings in Auburn to lay the organization's plans.

Other officers elected were R.H. Nimitz, Sumner, vie president; George Westbeau, Auburn, secretary; W.C. Hall, Auburn, treasurer. Directors are Dr. Thomas Sutherland, Auburn; C. (Nifty) Garrett, Sumner; Grant Dunbar, Kent; H.A. Stovik, Renton; L.W. Lingley, Orting; William Suss, Fife, and George Walker and Paul Sulkosky, Jr., Puyallup.