March 11, 1943

Dear Mr. Myer:

Under date of February 27 you wrote to Mr. McCloy requesting that consideration be given to suspending further movement of evacuees from Hawaii to the United States mainland. A copy of your letter was transmitted to General Emmons for his comments. This office is now in receipt of a confidential message from General Emmons, a paraphrase of which is given herewith:

The evacuation of Japanese from Hawaii to the mainland may be suspended except for those recommended for custodial detention in excess of 350 and for those who would be considered safe to release in the United States. The War Department publicity on the organization of a Japanese American combat team brought very definite and favorable comments, and it was announced at an opportune moment. The volunteers in Hawaii will reach nearly 10,000. It is desirable that you advise if the evacuees who answered "No" on the loyalty proposal were not those who initially were in custody in Hawaii. I suggest that the reasons for deferring evacuation be given to the Secretary of the Navy who has publicly stated that he is in favor of additional Japanese evacuation from Hawaii in large numbers.

In view of this message it is requested that you secure from the Navy an agreement to withdraw their demands the large evacuation from Hawaii be carried out. With the Navy's concurrence in suspending evacuation, it is believed that General Emmons will agree to your proposal.

Would it be possible to furnish this office, for General Emmons, the information on the negative answers on the loyalty question as referred to in his message?

Sincerely,

(SIGNED)
WILLIAM P. SCOBEY
Colonel G.S.