Nisei Loyal, Joe Palooka Salutes Members in Army

A salute from Pvt. Joe Palooka to the soldiers of Japanese descent in the United States Army, loyal and faithful Americans, and another salute to the vast number of other loyal Americans, the Nisei, who are as bitterly angry at the brutal, Nazified Japan as their fellow Americans are, and whose one wish is victory for America and her allies."

The intensive campaign which Japanese-American citizens are making to establish their loyalty to America has been carried even to the comic strips.

The following is an interchange of letters between Ham Fisher, cartoonist who draws the Joe Palooka in The Times, and William Hosokawa, University of Washington graduate and secretary of the Seattle Japanese-Americans Citizens League:

"Dear Mr. Fisher:

"For a long time many Americans of Japanese descent on the Pacific Coast have followed the adventures of Joe Palooka in The Seattle Times ... We have seen the fine example Joe has set in the way of clean American living and unselfish patriotism, and now we feel that Joe can help us with our particular problem. He would not jeopardize� his popularity, and he would be continuing to act in the finest American traditions of tolerance and understanding...

"Our problem is this: There are approximately 135,000 individuals of Japanese parentage in the United States. The remainder are foreign-born and ineligible to citizenship although they have resided here for two-thirds of their lifetimes ... The vast majority have proven themselves good Americans, and have gone on record as unreservedly loyal to the United States in this war.

4,000 in Army

"More than 4,000 of the young Japanese Americans ... are now serving in the Uncle Sam's armed forces ... They are serving their country willingly, but sometimes the general public is not so understanding of their families at home...

"We believe it would be a great step toward national unity if Joe could meet one or two of these American-born Japanese in the Army so that the general public will realize that we of this group are doing our part in national defense...

"Joe would find these Japanese Americans slighter of stature than other Americans. They would have straight black hair, and perhaps slightly slanting eyes. But the most outstanding thing about him would be his language, which would be as American as swing. ... He would be interested in all the mischief and fun that his buddies would be. He would be in complete accord with Joe when Joe declared on January 9 that it was like 'choosin' between a skunk, a rattlesnake or a garbage can' to try to determine 'who's the scummiest--the Japs, the Nazis or the Fascists.' ...

"Togo, or Sam Suzuki, or George Yamamoto, as his name might be ... would get letters from home, perhaps in bad English, and sometimes Japanese delicacies which Joe might like to try. ...

Heroism Not Necessary

"We do not presume to suggest that this proposed Japanese character be any sort of hero ... (but) ... an intensely human character, an eager little fellow anxious to do his duty to the country of his loyalty. Two of these American-born Japanese, you may be aware, distinguished themselves at Pearl Harbor and received mention in Secretary Knox's report. ...

"In closing, may I extend my regards to Joe, a swell fellow, and wish him the best of fortune wherever his duties may take him.

"Very sincerely yours,

"WILLIAM HOSOKAWA."

Fisher replied:

"...will be more than happy to carry out your wishes. Ever since its inception I have used Joe Palooka to fight intolerance and hatred, as you seem to realize. After reading your letter I realized that Joe's remark about the Japanese might have caused some loyal American citizen of Japanese descent some pangs. Believe me, there was no such intent. ...

"I can deeply sympathize with the Nisei and I am sure that every American or most Americans feel the way I do about it. We realize they are in no way accountable for the acts of the Nazi Japanese or the horror of the vicious attack made while peace negotiations were in progress and would undo it faithfully and loyally if possible.

"I am so glad that you didn't take Joe's remark in the wrong way and your own answer to it I wish every American could read.

"Thanks again for your grand letter. With most cordial regards and hopes for victory for all men of good will against the mad oppressors.

"Sincerely,

"HAM FISHER."