Title: Message to John J. McCloy, (denshopd-i67-00057)
Densho ID: denshopd-i67-00057

CONFIDENTIAL
WAR DEPARTMENT
CLASSIFIED MESSAGE CENTER

INCOMING MESSAGE

From: Ft. Shafter, TH
To: WAR

Number W-9645, 2 February 1944

To John J. McCloy Assistant Secretary of War, War Department, Washington 25, DC from Richardson HDGEX.

There are approximately 135 persons of Japanese ancestry interned in Hawaii who are citizens of the United States by birth and citizens of Japan due to the registration of their births by their alien Japanese parents with the local Japanese Consulate. These individuals are commonly known as "Kibeis": In general, they are dual citizens, who have resided in Japan an average of 12 years during formative period of life and have had approximately 8 years education in Japan, and some have had Japanese military training and service. They returned to Hawaii during decade 1931 to 1941 and have recognized their obligations of Japanese citizenship by filing applications annually for deferment from Japanese military service with the Japanese government. About 100 of these internees have either made statements of loyalty to the United States or have made no statements to indicate their loyalty either way, or have made evasive statements relative to their loyalty; whereas the remainder admit loyalty to Japan. Despite the fact that so many have made statements of loyalty to the United States, it is my opinion based on findings of Hearing Boards and intelligence reports that they are dangerous to the security of the United States and that their utterances of loyalty are inconsistent with their backgrounds and training in Japan. I now propose to evacuate from Hawaii for resettlement in war relocation centers on the mainland of the United States those Kibeis who have professed loyalty to the United States for the reason that if any of them should insitute [institute] habeas corpus proceedings in the local United States District

Court, we might not be able to present a strong case against them. A transfer of these internees as contemplated would entail their release from internment upon their departure from the Territory of Hawaii and necessary arrangements would have to be made with the War Relocation Authority to receive them. In addition to the evacuation of the internees it would be both necessary and desirable to evacuate their families with them. Request your approval of this proposal. Those Kibeis who have not expressly stated at the Hearing Board records that they are loyal to Japan and want Japan to win the war will continue in internment here. Should any of them petition for a writ of habeas corpus it is believed that our case against them is so sufficient that a court would not order their release from internment.

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