FEDERAL OFFICIALS SEND JACL PRAISE

State, Navy And Justice Departments Are Appreciative Of Messages of Assurances Sent By Headquarters

WIRE PLEDGE GIVEN TO ROOSEVELT

SAN FRANCISCO. -- Among the replies received in response to a telegram sent to leading officials on the night of the outbreak of the war by the national JACL headquarters, are messages from the Navy Department, the Department of Justice, and the Department of State. President Saburo Kido also has sent another telegram to President Roosevelt.

Secretary Mike Masaoka has returned to headquarters, and the work is going ahead continuously. Due to the closing of the shop and offices there promises to be a delay in this issue of the Pacific Citizen. Secretary Masaoka is slated for a visit to Sacramento for the League.

Responding to the understanding and co-operation received from the various officials and community leaders, the following telegram was dispatched by the national office of the Japanese American Citizens League to President Roosevelt:

"In behalf of the 15,000 members of the Japanese American Citizens League and the permanent Japanese resident national in this country, may we express to you, and through you, to the American people at large, our heartfelt and sincere appreciation for the fair treatment which is being accorded us. Our faith that American sportsmanship and tolerance would triumph over hysteria and mob action in time of war has been justified in the calm and considerate treatment given to American Citizens of Japanese ancestry and to their parents, who though excluded from naturalization by law, are in the main devoted and loyal to this great Republic.

"Once again we wish to thank you, the Federal, State and local officials; the press and radio services; and our numerous friends -- all of whom have given us the greatest consideration and sympathy.

"May we pledge again our allegiance and loyalty to the Stars and Stripes and offer be you and to our Government the organizational as well as material facilities of our national League.

"With best wishes for a merry American Christmas and a new year which will see the triumph of peace and liberty over the forces of hate and might, we remain."

Sent By Departments

Excerpts from replies received from representatives of the cabinet members are herewith presented.

Edward A. Hayes, Lieutenant Commander, acting for Secretary Knox said for the Navy:

"I wish to acknowledge and thank you most sincerely for your telegram of December 7, 1941.

"The United States has been the target of an unprovoked attack by the Japanese Empire, which, in concert with the other Axis powers, has as its aim domination and enslavement of the world at the expense of all freedom-loving people.

"It is very gratifying to note that the American citizens of Japanese extraction, as represented by your organization, are offering their unstinting support to the United States in this hour of crisis. Your action in so advising the Government is most highly commended."

Department of Justice

Speaking for the Department of Justice, Lawrence M.C. Smith, chief of the special defense unit, said:

"The Attorney General has requested me to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of December 7, 1941. You may be assured that he is appreciative of the sentiments which you have expressed in behalf of the members of the Japanese American Citizens League."

Department Of State

Another response which was in reply to a letter sent before the rupture of the United States-Japanese relations, by Mike Masaoka, national secretary and field executive, was deemed timely and pertinent.

From Adolf A. Berle, Jr., assistant secretary of the Department of State, this letter in part stated:

Reports that have come to my attention indicate that the great majority of American citizens of Japanese descent are loyal to the United States. Under existing conditions, however, many loyal American citizens of Japanese descent may be examined and questioned. When this occurs, they should not resent such action but should co-operate fully in helping to discover the limited number of instances where such investigations are justified."