F.B.I. SEARCHING KITSAP JAPS

BAINBRIDGE ALIEN ARMS TO BE SEIZED

Declaring any Bainbridge Island Japanese found with firearms or cameras in their possession would be taken into custody, agents from the Seattle office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation today began a systematic search of the island.

H.B. Fletcher, agent in charge of the Seattle F.B.I. office, said any Japanese seized would be held in the Immigration Detention Station here pending disposition of his case. No arrests had been made at a late hour his afternoon.

The F.B.I. agents were aided by immigration officers, members of the State Patrol and Kitsap County deputy sheriffs.

Fletcher said recurrent reports had been received that many aliens on the island had not turned in firearms and cameras at the time specified.

Asked if the move was preparatory to evacuating Japanese aliens from the island, Fletcher said he had "no comment."

The move of the F.B.I. followed closely the proclamation of Gov. Arthur B. Langlie designating North Kitsap County, including Bainbridge Island, as a "protective area," because of increased naval activities in the vicinity.

Fletcher and his agents went to the island today in more than a dozen automobiles. Fletcher said he did not know how many families would be questioned, but presumed that most of them would.

Governor Langlie's proclamation said that all firearms must be registered with the State Patrol. It prohibited photography, sketching or taking of notes pertaining to defense work. Possession of explosives also was prohibited.

To Foulweather Bluff

The new area is roughly outlined within borders running from Harper went to the Willamette Meridan, near Bangor; north to the shore line on Hood Canal to a point between Bangor and Vinland, then north along the tideline to Foulweather-Bluff, thence from an offshore point back to Harper, Blake Island is within the area.

Registration blanks for firearms will be obtainable from local authorities, stores and other convenient points, it was revealed. Responsibility for such registration rests strictly with the owners or possessors, officials point out.

Issuance of the proclamation was at the request of Rear Admiral C. S. Freeman, commandant of the 13th Naval District. Previously, there had been three restricted areas in the county--Bremerton, the naval ammunition depot near Bremerton, and the torpedo station at Keyport.

The Navy has, however, added extensively to its establishments and patrol operations and the new, enlarged "protective area" is regarded as a logical extension of essential precautions, according to naval officials. The 1941 Legislature gave the governor the power to establish such protective areas.