GRESHAM GROUP DEFENDS NISEI

GRESHAM, Or., March 17.--(AP)--A group of Gresham citizens struck back today at the anti-Japanese of their constitutional rights.

Ex-Gov. Charles A. Sprague of Salem told a meeting called by pastors and other Gresham residents that here is "no logical reason" for denying Japanese-Americans the right to return to the coast after the reason for their evacuation -- military necessity -- has ended.

Harold S. Fistere, northwest area supervisor of the War Relocation Authority, told last night's meeting that the W.R.A., had no authority to decide whether Japanese should return.

"The W.R.A. will do all in its power to protect and defend the constitutional rights of those people," he said. Fistere's removal from the W.R.A. has been asked by the anti-Japanese faction, organized as Oregon Property Owners Protective Association.