Title: "New Coast Spy Clues Reported," Seattle Times, 2/18/1942, (ddr-densho-56-632)
Densho ID: ddr-densho-56-632

NEW COAST SPY CLUES REPORTED

PORTLAND, Or., Wednesday, Feb. 18--(UP)--Federal Bureau of Investigation agents launched a series of quick raids on the homes of members of a "secret Japanese organization" here today, and well-informed sources hinted the action was the result of espionage activities in the vicinity of local shipyards, the Portland air base and Bonneville Dam.

J.D. Swenson, special agent in charge of the Portland F.B.I. office, confirmed the raids.

"We are picking up the members of a secret Japanese organization in Portland and searching their homes," Swenson said.

Swenson also declined comment on possibilities that the organization might have chapters elsewhere in Oregon or on the coast.

Plot Reported at Sacramento

In San Francisco, the F.B.I. announced today that it had uncovered evidence "of the greatest importance," indicating Japanese had been engaged in espionage around three vital airports of Sacramento.

The evidence was collected by F.B.I. agents during the a two-day round-up of 23 "potentially dangerous" Japanese aliens in the Sacramento and Monterey areas.

One of the Japanese arrested yesterday was Isaburo Saiki, who lived near Mather Field, Sacramento. Agents said they found two sets of binoculars, wrapped in a burlap bag, hidden in a haystack by Saiki's home.

The F.B.I. released a report telling of an unidentified Japanese who had lived at Watsonville for 42 years. The report said he carried a skillfully made .22-caliber pistol in what appeared to be a pocket knife.