Japanese Should Report Dynamite

Japanese aliens possessing blasting powder or other explosives for land clearing "would do well" to report the amount and placement of the material immediately to Deputy Sheriff James Johnson, the Federal Bureau of Investigation told The Review this week.

By presidential proclamation the possession of guns, cameras, binoculars and similar equipment is forbidden to Japanese nationals, it was reported. Asked if blasting powder, which many Japanese farmers use at this time of the year to clear Island fields, was included in this list of forbidden equipment, a spokesman for the F.B.I. said:

"Such matters are being decided by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., which is studying the policies which may be followed as to Japanese aliens. In the meantime and in view of the lack of definite instructions, I would say that Japanese aliens on Bainbridge Island would do well to report the exact amount of their explosives to the deputy sheriff.

"This, then, will establish their good faith and will be a matter of record that they were cooperative in telling proper officials about their supplies. This might stand them in good stead if the federal government later should enforce more stringent regulations."

Mr. Johnson said he would be glad to cooperate in receiving reports from Japanese aliens. He may be reached by telephone at Port Blakely 329-J-2.

Meanwhile, other restrictions on the Island's 300 Japanese residents were eased somewhat. American citizens of Japan parentage late last week were again permitted to use ferries. Restrictions on credit and trade with Japanese nationals were relaxed some.

The F.B.I. said Japanese-American citizens could travel "exactly as any other citizen" upon the showing of "proper proof" of citizenship. This, the spokesman said, would be a certified copy of a birth certificate proving birth in this country. This certificate should be carried on the person at all times while traveling. The attempted use of membership cards in clubs, drivers' licenses or voting registration cards was frowned upon. The birth certificate is the "best evidence," the F.B.I. said.

Japan nationals still were confined to the Island, however, by the rigid regulations. Whether these would be relaxed was not known, pending an announcement from the Department of Justice on general policy toward the nationals.

Last week, the Seattle branch of the Federal Reserve Bank eased rules barring trade with nationals so that Japanese fruit, vegetables and flower growers could move their produce.