July 8, 1942
PERSONAL
Dear Mr. McCormack:
The War Department has given careful consideration to your letter of June 28, 1942, enclosing letter from Mr. Charles F. Ayer in which he discusses the seriousness of the Japanese situation in the Territory of Hawaii. I am glad to be able to report that this matter has been under continuous study since December 7, 1941 and everything possible is being done to solve the problem in a satisfactory manner.
Our greatest difficulty in dealing with this problem is the economic aspect. The Japanese population is so interwoven into the economic fabric of the Islands that if we attempted to evacuate all Japanese aliens and citizens all business, including that concerned with the building up of our defenses, would practically stop. The critical shipping situation precludes the movement of replacement labor from the mainland. Furthermore, the Japanese who now occupy positions are experienced, whereas replacement labor would lack this experience.
Those American citizens of Japanese ancestry considered actively dangerous are interned in Hawaii, while those that are considered potentially dangerous are to be evacuated to the Mainland for resettlement. All enemy aliens about whom there is the slightest suspicion are returned to the Mainland for internment.
I appreciate your interest in calling this matter to my attention and I am sure you realize the confidential nature of the information given above.
Sincerely,
(SIGNED) HENRY L. STIMSON
Secretary of War
Honorable John W. McCormack
Majority Leader
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
WAR DEPARTMENT
WAR DEPARTMENT GENERAL STAFF
OPERATIONS DIVISION
WASHINGTON
July 1, 1942
MEMORANDUM FOR THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF WAR:
Subject: Evacuation of Japanese from Hawaii.
I. Discussion.
In accordance with disposition form dated June 30, 1942, the following is presented on the letter from The Honorable John W. McCormack (Tab A) enclosing a letter from Mr. Charles F. Ayer (Tab B) on the above subject:
a. In the conference held by the Secretary of War on April 28, 1942, this subject was discussed and it was the consensus of opinion that from ten to fifteen thousand Japanese (alien and citizen alike) should be evacuated to the Mainland and placed in resettlement areas in remote sections of the country.
b. Secret radiogram number 4579, dated June 28, transmitted these latest War Department instructions to the Commanding General, Hawaiian Department. Evacuation planned was to provide for all members of family units.
c. By War Department secret radiogram number 3974, dated May 28, 1942, the Commanding General, Hawaiian Department was authorized to form all officers and soldiers of Japanese ancestry into a provisional infantry battalion which was moved to the Mainland for training with a view to its employment in some other theater of operations. At present the battalion is located at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.
II. Recommendation.
That the attached letter to The Honorable John. W. McCormack be signed and dispatched by the Secretary of War.
THOS. T. HANDY
Brigadier General,
Assistant Chief of Staff.
Office of the Majority Leader
House of Representatives U.S.
Washington, D.C.
June 28, 1942.
Honorable Henry L. Stimson,
The Secretary of War,
Washington, D.C.
My dear Secretary Stimson;
I am enclosing for your consideration, a letter I have received from Charles F. Ayer of Boston, Mass., which I feel contains some merit. There is no question but what a bad situation exists in the Hawaiian Islands in case of future attack, although I realize that it is hard to assume that all of Japanese blood are disloyal. I also assume that the conditions there have been considered. However, as there is some merit to the within letter, I am forwarding it to you for such attention as it warrants.
Sincerely yours,
John McCormack
MAJORITY LEADER.
BOSTON, MASS. June 6, 1942
The Honorable John W. McCormack
House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
My dear Mr. McCormack:
You know I never mean to trouble you about any trivial matter; but a problem has been brought to my attention that appears not to be in any way political or controversial but is of the greatest importance to all of us.
It comes in a letter to one of my friends from an acquaintance of his in Hawaii who is intimately acquainted with the Navy leaders there who have talked to him a good deal about the local Jap situation. I am therefore bringing it to you as the most influential Democrat in the House and who would therefore be in position to give the matter the backing necessary to correct the situation, if you are as impressed with its vital importance as I am. I quote from the latter from my friend, of which he sent me a copy, and which outlines what appears to be the Jap menace.
"Have you given any further thought to my suggestion, at the time I showed you the letter from my brother, of having some West Coast Congressman, with good publicity preparation, make a strong speech in favor of moving gradually one hundred thousand Japs out of the Hawaiian Islands? The Navy officers out there, I am told, believe there are one hundred thousand too many Japs in the Islands.
"Think what a set-back it would mean to our changes of winning this War, if by any possibility the Japs should be able to take the Hawaiian Islands, with a great deal of inside fifth-column assistance. I am told the Japs drive many of the Army trucks, and that thousands of them are wearing American uniforms, and that they just honeycomb the whole situation out there, and actually outnumber the Americans by a good many.
"If they should ever be able to take those Islands in that way, where would we stand toward getting troops or supplies to Australia or to any other good bases of operations in the western Pacific? Also, is it not true that if they did control the Hawaiian Islands, they would then have a strategic base of operations for actual attacks on the West Coast of the United States?
"If every ship which goes to the Hawaiian Islands loaded with supplies, ammunition, airplanes, etc. could bring back a full load of Japanese families, I am certain they could be salted around the country on marginal lands, and perhaps helped out with some subsistent allowances, and by decreasing the Japanese population of the Hawaiian Islands, we would help eliminate that danger.
"I am told that the commercial interests in the Islands and Delegate King use all their influence to help prevent the taking out of Japs, because they want the labor supply so they can make profits. But how many profits can they make if the Japs ever capture those Islands?
If you are impressed by his description of the danger inherent in this situation and are disposed to do so, I think you can do more to remedy it than any one else I know.
Meantime, with my very kind regards, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Charles T. Ayer