SUMNER HUNTS JAP CONTRABAND

Possibly that firearms, radios and other contraband articles may have been concealed in the Sumner areas be departing Japanes [Japanese] continued to receive the attention of Sumner authorities today as the result of the arrest two weeks ago of three American-born Japanese in the uniform of the United States who dug up a buried camera on a Sumner farm.

The three soldiers were inductees from Fort Douglas, Salt Lake City. They had been interned at an inland relocation center, and came to the Northwest during their 15-day leave before reporting for duty at Camp Shelby, Miss.

The family of one of the youths previously had lived on the Sumner farm.

Woman Reports Incident

The camera, a small but expensive model, was buried under the dirt floor of a shed behind a house now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Burival. It was wrapped in heavy waxed paper and buried in a tin can.

The information supplied by Mrs. Burival resulted in the detention of the three soldiers whose story "didn't hang together very well," according to Norton Wynn, Sumner chief of police.

Chief Wynn immediately notified Federal Bureau of Investigation and Army Intelligence officials, who questioned the soldiers and obtained a confession, Chief Wynn reported.

Meanwhile, an intensive search for such contraband articles as firearms, cameras, radios and knives continued to occupy both officials and residents of the Sumner area.

It has been the custom of the Army to permit Japanese in the United States Army to enter restricted zones when on furlough. There is no difference between a soldier on furlough and a soldier who is on "leave" prior to reporting to the camp to which he has been assigned, an Army spokesman disclosed.

Mystery on Army Action

Disposition of the three men remained something of a mystery. An F.B.I. spokesman declared that it was an Army case, being handled by Army Intelligence. Army officials said that no information regarding the affair could be made public.

Chief Wynn said it was his understanding that the soldiers were being held at Fort Lewis pending further investigation.

The soldiers were seen first in Sumner the night of June 17. They were stopped and their papers examined by Sumner police. The following night they stopped at the farmhouse occupied by the Burivals and told Mrs. Burival there was "something they wanted to get."

Mrs. Burival later saw them digging in the shed and went out to investigate, Chief Wynn said. It was then she learned they were after a buried camera. Mrs. Burival discussed the incident with her husband. They sought the advice of Harry Allen, an auxiliary Sumner policeman, who notified Chief Wynn.