From: Ft. Shafter
To: War

No. W6

11th February 1944

For McCloy Asst Sec of War Wash from Richardson OMGEX.

Since there are insufficient housing facilities available in war relocation centers on the mainland for the Kibeis proposed for evacuation from Hawaii, it is planned for the present to keep such internees interned in Hawaii. In regards to your alternative suggestion regarding local paroles since June 1943, based upon the weekly recommendations of a review board set up for this purpose, I have been paroling those individuals considered to be least dangerous to the internal security. The review board during the period June through February 3rd 1944 has reviewed 440 interment [internment] cases of which 265 were United States citizens. In carry out the parole policy the release of large numbers at any one time is avoided so as not to create an influence that the military authorities are relaxing their vigilance. Likewise the release of prominent Japanese leaders of known Japanese tendencies is avoided although in the record of many of these cases it appears that no overt acts have been committed by them. Considering the fact that there are in the territory of Hawaii approximately 160,000 persons of Japanese ancestry which constitutes over 1/3 of the entire population, of which approximately 37,000 are aliens, it becomes apparent that in order to maintain sufficient survellance [surveillance] and security it is necessary to continue interrment [internment] hearings of both alien and United States citizens. Should Habeas Corpus litigation develop at any time in the future it is necessary that the War Department support this stand or security to the fullest extent.

No Sig

ACTION: Mr. McCloy
INFORMATION: OFD, G-2