Here's Something for Japs In U.S. to Write Home About

Having determined that enemy aliens must be evacuated from certain areas in this country, the authorities, federal and local, seem equally determined to make things as easy as possible for all who must be moved.

Necessarily, there is much disarrangement of their plans in severing the aliens from businesses and vocations in which they have been engaged, some of them for many years. But the authorities, while firm, show no inclination to be harsh.

Every effort is being made to conserve such property and other interests as these aliens may have acquired. They will be paid for all work that may be given them to do while detained. So far as revealed the policy of government looks toward ultimate restoration of everything they now may lawfully possess. Meanwhile nothing of theirs will be destroyed.

For contrast with this, consider what is known of Japan's treatment of American nationals and the lawfully acquired property of Americans in the Far East. It has been ruthlessly destructive in every land invaded by the Japanese. In only one instance has Japan even so much as expressed regret. There was a payment of compensation and a murmur of apology for sinking the U.S.S. Panay. But that was just a bit of diplomatic strategy. Japan was not then ready for war upon the United States.

From the time Japanese invaded Manchuria, American losses have been mounting. We hear of no such government functionary in Japan as an alien property custodian. What the Japanese lay hands upon is held to be theirs, whether to keep and use or to raze and ruin.

The Japanese in this country scarcely can fail to note this difference in treatment. However sorry they may feel over enforced dislocation, they should appreciate a policy conservative of their interests.