Letter from Stanley Shimabukuro to Lincoln Kanai, April 15, 1942

Lea

Santa Anita Assembly Center

April 13, 1942

Dear Link:

Helle from the world's famous race track where Seabiscuit and Man-0-War

have caused great excitement for the people who play `tho horses desiring to

achieve wealth overnight. Yes, the paradise for horse levers has now been

transformed into a "Little Tokyo" where there are no fools to call you "Jap"

or eye you with "you-are-guilty" looks. The evacuees here have been once

again reminded that they have been the most law-abiding race in America for

a nunber of years in the past. They have no recrets of being cooped up,

but are willing to live peacefully and trust their faiths and destiny in the

hands of God for the duration.

Really, you can't appreciate fully the advantgqg@ or rather the necessity

of being compelled to live a new kind of life in a brand new but sacrificial

environment until you actually get assimilated to it. When you are forced to

a new philosophy "make the best of it," you will begin to appreciate the

thought that we have constantly sought for a durable satisfaction of life.

The places to bunk and the food are not like back home, but what can you

expect under such a mass evacuation? The climate is quite agreeable out here

in Southern California. I understand that this place is better than Manzanar.

Mte Wilson where the largest 100 inch telescope is located is just beyond,

highlizhting the scenery which we love to gaze upon. A story is now circu~

lating that this place may be availed for a resettlement center. Although

it has been officially designated as an assembly center, accommodation is so

suitable that evacuees are beginning to speculate as to their war-time resi-

dence here. A school building is now under construction and a huge recreation

`hall is being given a finishing touch. People are housed in apartments con-

verted from former horse stables. Electricity and water are fairly well pro-

vided. :

By this coming Wednesday, the population here will total 7500. Evacuees

from San Diego County, Long Beach, Gardena, Artisian, Terminal Island, Sen

Francisco, Portland, Laundale, and Damey are na here. This center could

accommodate about 10,000 , so I believe there'll be some more fran Los Angeles

wi thin a week or 80. ,

We people of San Francisco had a peculjar but unharsh trip that Monday

night. We left San Francisco about 8:30 that nicht and reached here about

10:30 the next day. On Tuesday morning about 8 o'clock box lunches composed

of milk, an orange, a couple of sandwiches, two cupeakes, and a candy bar

were provided for all of use Babies amd sick persons were humanly attended

t by nisei nurses who were supervised, of course, by Hakujin doctors on the

tin. As soon as we arrived here we were assigned to living quarters wi th

evacuee numbers and were given rules and regulations that govern the camp

life. Our baggazes were carefully inspected for any contrabands including

kitehen knives. Out of this inspection two short-wave radios, an ancient

oriental dagger about el ght inches long, some liquor, and, of course, a con~

siderable number of kitchen knives have been conBiscated by the authorities.

But, of course, the offenders will not be punished tecause the violations were

unintentional. Standard radios, phonogmphs, and other musical instruments

are allowed in the camp. Curfew law has not been applied in this camp because

the evacuees are really obedient and anxious to cooperate with the authorities.

4

to make contacts and regulate the proceedings. Suen 44k Os Ben

there are some Bakujins working for the benefits of the evacuser, I would ,

like to help in any wey possible, possibly exehancing data and idess so that

for the duration ve ie andes Gs conekilaidl aaameauills No matter what

happens, keep your chin up. ee

iy sincere wishes to you and the ""Y" gang. If you have ay mail for me

please send it horee Inasmuch as I have rejoined uy relatives, I fee. more

at caso. lity best wishes again.

Stenley Shimabukuro