COMMUNITY RENEWS LOYAL PLEDGE AT ROUSING AMERICANISM RALLY
Greatest Display Of Patriotism Ever Manifest Here Shown At Gathering; Mayor Millikin Expresses His Confidence, But Warns of Danger
YOUNG LEADERS VOW TO SCOTCH SUBVERSION
Every third individual in Seattle Japanese Community was on hand last Monday night at the new Buddhist Church to take part in a rousing Americanism Rally, at a meeting sponsored by the Emergency Defense Council of the JACL. The largest gathering in the Community's history jammed the main hall 15 minutes before time, and overflowed into the unfinished auditorium in a moving demonstration of loyalty to the United States.
While some 600 persons crowded into every inch of space in the hall, more than 900 others stood in the corridors and auditorium throughout the program, listening through a hastily-rigged public address system.
The crowd of more than 1,500 about two-thirds second generation and the remainder their foreign-born parents, reaffirmed support of President Roosevelt in a resolution, and went away with a new confidence born of the encouraging words they heard.
Mayor Promises Aid
Mayor Earl Millikin, expressing full confidence in the loyalty of the second generation and their alien parents, and pledged anew to do everything in his power to prevent unfair discrimination against Japanese in this city.
He warned that while very little ill feeling had thus revealed itself in Seattle, a long war may find America's "tolerance growing thin, and continued good relations may depend not only upon your loyalty, but your discretion."
To Win War and Peace
The audience burst into spontaneous applause when Mayor Millikin asserted that the United States was out to win the war first, then to win the peace following which would enable shops of all nations to ply the Pacific in peaceful trade.
Superior Judge Clay Alien spoke of the many nationalities seeking opportunity in the United States who have helped to defend its safety. He expressed his faith in the integrity of the Japanese here, but warned that the Community itself must be the first to uncover and repudiate its disloyal members.
"You were born in the United States, hundreds of you, but you still look Oriental," he said. "Perhaps, you feel now that your country has repudiated you. That is not true. I think we are the most tolerant people in the world.
No Time For Argument
"But you must remember that the time for argument about this war, even among Americans of long ancestry here, is over. You who have come here to live among us by choice must realize that you can make only one decision -- that is to do your part in defeating Japan, he asserted.
James Y. Sakamoto, speaking for the Emergency Defense Council, declared that all those with doubts left for Japan on the last boat. "Alien Japanese remaining will be loyal to their children who are Americans," he asserted.
Will Repudiate Disloyal
Both Sakamoto and Takeo Nogaki, chairman, stressed the fact that the Community is ready to repudiate quickly and completely any found to be disloyal to the United States. "We intend to protect our protect our country and ourselves by reporting any un-American activity to the proper authorities," they emphasized.
Other speakers were Mrs. Leah McKay of the Red Cross. Francis Chujo who gave assurance of first generation support in defense work and Johnson Shimizu, Japanese American Citizens League vice-president.
Pledge of Allegiance
The program started solemnly, with the pledge of allegiance to the American flag when all with voices deep and serious, repeated their vow of fealty. Then the packed hall and huge auditorium echoed to the strains of the national anthem.
Despite the great attendance and the make-shift nature of some of the accommodations, there was no flippancy about the gathering. In its place was the feeling that something profound was taking place, and one could sense the grim air of a people out to do a duty.
As one alien Japanese said to his citizen son, the rally was a wonderful thing for them personally, and a wonderful thing for the Community.