JAPANESE HERE FACE EVICTION

Bainbridge Island's more than 300 Japanese aliens and Japanese-American citizens prepared yesterday to meet the order they all hoped would not come--ouster from the Island for the duration of the war.

What the order would mean to the Island's economy was a subject of dour speculation by Island businessmen. The ouster will mean the removal of about one-seventeenth of the Island population; it probably will mean the closure of two popular and prosperous business houses; it probably will mean the abandonment for many years of the Island's famed strawberry crop and probably will force non-operation of the Island strawberry packing plant which, annually, employs many white residents.

"Eventually, orders will be issued requiring all Japanese, including those who are American-born, to vacate all of Military area No. 1," the Army, given supreme power by the President over all citizens in military areas, ruled Tuesday.

The proclamation said other orders, to be given in the future, would fix deadlines for evacuation of certain areas until, eventually, the entire Pacific Coast is cleared of all aliens--Japanese, German and Italian--and Japanese-American citizens. The proclamation hinted strongly, however, that Japanese aliens and citizens would "gain considerable advantage, and in all probability will not again be disturbed" by moving voluntarily prior to eviction orders.

The Japanese colony took the order calmly, for most had expected it for many weeks despite efforts of their friends to prevent it.

There were indications that the ouster would mean near-tragedy for a handful of German and Italian alien residents of the Island, including in their number several prominent families.

Many Islanders were in attendance last week at a now apparently pointless congressional alien immigration hearing in Seattle.

Just before the congressional session was closed earlier this week, Mr. and Mrs. Walter C. Woodward, Jr., publishers of The Review, sent the following telegram to the committee:

"Since December 7, Bainbridge Review editorial has urged protection citizenship rights loyal Japanese-Americans. We have seen much evidence of loyalty on part of Nisei, including sending of their members into U.S. Army. Constitution will not mean much to them if they discriminated against. Another important factor is critical crisis their wholesale evacuation would mean to economic life whole Pacific Coast. Review strongly urges your committee recommend continuation present splendid program of F.B.I. as only fair and wise method of dealing with problem!"

The Review's stand was not the only one given the committee from the Island. The Sunday edition of the Seattle-Post-Intelligencer said:

"Another communication, from Bainbridge Island Civilian Defense Council, urged removal of all enemy aliens."