'Burma Road' At Puyallup Held Misinterpreted

Former Seattle Japanese residents of the Puyallup assembly center for evacuees today issued a statement declaring that their designation of a street in the center as "The Burma Road" had been misinterpreted.

Announcement that the thoroughfare had been named came soon after the fall of China's Burma Road, and some persons interpreted the action as impudent or mistakenly facetious.

"It was never our intention, at any time whatsoever, to ridicule the ideal for which the Burma Road stands," the Japanese said in a statement signed by William Y. Mimbu, director of Area A. "We hope that this has been shown by the voluntary removal of the sign.

"The Burma Road, as such, was the principal means of getting supplies through to that section of the world and we felt it particularly appropriate that this one be named after the real Burma Road inasmuch as it served exactly the same purpose in our camp.

"During the first few days of rainy weather our Burma Road was literally akin to that muddy, almost impassable -- but vital -- lifeline in China which was kept open by the valiant efforts of our fellow Americans. Our work crews, too, were keeping our main supply route open. In that sense, only, was it named the 'Burma Road.'

"The idea of naming the main thoroughfare of Area A was one born entirely of patriotism and in honor of the valiant efforts to keep that vital lifeline open. We, in the camp, are all Americans and we certainly believe in the same principles and ideals of all other Americans."