Japs Here Plan Inland Empire Colony

Nipponese Would Build Model City With U.S. Aid

The Seattle Japanese colony is making plans to migrate en masse to Eastern Washington and establish a permanent community, James Y. Sakamoto, Japanese publisher and leader, announced today.

Although the evacuation of all Japanese, aliens and American-born alike, is expected to be ordered soon, few Japanese have left Seattle voluntarily thus far because they are awaiting for approval by the government of the establishment of the community.

Sakamoto declined to reveal the locality of the possible community, but he said it was outside of an area where white persons are settled.

Model City Planned

"If the government will assist us somewhat," Sakamoto said, "we can put up temporary quarters quickly, then move and build a permanent model city with homes, churches, schools and industries. Many of us would go with the view in staying there permanently.

"We are willing to put ourselves in voluntary exile," he continued, "but we will need some assistance from the government."

Sakamoto said the proposal has been placed before government authorities, but no action has been taken.

Meanwhile, 1,000 Japanese from the Los Angeles area have volunteered to pioneer in setting up community life at Manzanar, 40 miles south of Bishop in the Owens Valley of Southeastern California, east of the rugged Sierra Nevadas, the Associated Press reported.

In Owens Valley the Japanese will live in fabricated houses, with community kitchens and community baths, will engage chiefly in agricultural work. The camp eventually will accommodate 10,000 evacuees.

General De Witt Approves

Such a community would accommodate Seattle's entire Japanese community, made up of about 4,000 aliens and 6,000 American-born persons.

Lieut. Gen. John L. De Witt, commander of the Western Defense Command, has approved such movements. Urging other Japanese to follow the example of the Los Angeles volunteers, General De Witt said:

"I desire to make it unmistakably clear that evacuation will be continued, with or without such cooperation. With such cooperation, those affected will find their situation much less difficult."

The Army's part in the evacuation program will end when Military Area No. 1, a 2,000-mile-long strategic strip of coastline, is cleared.

A war relocation authority, created yesterday by President Roosevelt, with Milton S. Eisenhower in charge, will then take over, providing permanent resettlement areas and employment opportunities when possible.