Kick Out Japs or Keep 'Em Working? Seattleites Argue

Opinion is divided sharply in Seattle on the growing question of what should be done, if anything, regarding Japanese aliens and American-born Japanese in this area.

Some persons believe Japanese aliens should not be forced out of their jobs, as has occurred here; some believe all Japanese should be interned; some believe Japanese should be treated without discrimination, letting federal agents ferret out saboteurs.

Meanwhile, Fred M. Fueker, state adjutant of the American Legion, said Seattle and other Washington American Legion posts probably will join unanimously in adoption of a resolution, originating in Bellingham, urging removal of all alien Japanese on the Pacific Coast to concentration camps inland.

All Posts to Act

Albert J. Hamilton Post No. 7, Bellingham, adopted the resolution unanimously Tuesday. The resolution says Japanese on the Pacific Coast are so numerous they cannot be supervised adequately, and since subversive fifth-columnists and saboteurs have been of material assistance to the enemy, it is advisable to intern all alien Japanese for the duration of the war.

LaVonne Miller, 4740 University Way: I lived in Honolulu for three years and I believe the Japanese have some kind of organized punishment just in their daily contacts with people. The F.B.I. should take care of the dangerous alien Japanese. The only reason I could see for putting them in camps would be for their own protection, because I think there will be trouble if there is ever an air raid here.

Paul E. Davis, shipbuilding welder: Every Jap should be thrown into a concentration camp--citizens and all. They're all loyal to Japan. It might be expensive to put them all in a concentration camp, but it would be worth it. I'm broadminded, but I don't consider a Jap is a good American citizen even if he is born in the United States.

If there's an air raid here, a lot of those Japs are going to get killed. There are a lot of guys in this town with rifles who will kill them. Throw them in a concentration camp and work it out after the war is over!

Jim Sullenger, 18 years old, 725 21st Ave.: I just came over here from Montana and I don't know a lot about the Japanese problem. But if I was an alien Japanese problem. But if I was an alien Japanese and was fired from my job because I was a Jap, I probably wouldn't try so hard to be a good American. I think Japs ought to be allowed to keep their jobs if they behave themselves. Then the F.B.I. will know where they are and what they're doing.

Earl S. Fey, butcher: There are a lot of Japanese who are as good American citizens as anyone. We were all foreigners to begin with, and if we want to get particular about who belongs here we'd have to give the country back to the Indians.

I suppose there are Japanese agents here, but I think they are the concern of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. How about the Germans and Italians? Nobody is getting excited about them.

Mrs. Victor Moody, 5613 41st Ave. S.W.: I think any Japanese who do anything that isn't right should be taken care of in a very severe way -- locked up or something! That's whether they're aliens or citizens, in either case.

Mrs. Albert Reed, 2419 Ferdinand St.: The Japanese should be shipped off to a concentration camp under firm supervision. I think we should be humanitarian about it -- firm, but no cruel. I think the Japanese would be happier if grouped by themselves, and I know we would. I just mean the aliens, of course.