THE STATE OF NEVADA
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
CARSON CITY

February 21, 1942

Lt. General J.L. DeWitt
U.S. Army, Commanding
Presidio
San Francisco, California

My dear General:

I am somewhat concerned about the evacuation of enemy aliens from the State of California. In a conversation this morning with the Director of the Nevada State Council of Defense he informed me that he had been advised that the attorney general had made the ruling that evacuated enemy aliens could go to places of their own choice.

I trust that this is not the attitude of the Army because I feel that a great deal of confusion and strife will be brought about by letting enemy aliens go to all parts of the country of their own choice. It would appear to me that it would be directly conducive to sabotage and subversive activities and furthermore the Government would have no check upon where these people had gone.

I have made the statement here that enemy aliens would be accepted in the State of Nevada under proper supervision. This would apply to concentration camps as well as to those who might be allowed to farm or do such other things as they could do in helping out. That is the attitude that I am going to maintain in this State and I do not desire that Nevada be made a dumping ground for enemy aliens to be going anywhere they might see fit to travel.

I would like to know what policy will be followed when the Army takes this situation over after February 24.

With my best wishes,

Sincerely yours,

[Signature]
GOVERNOR