Letter from Lincoln Kanai, Executive Secretary, Japanese YMCA, to Milton Stover Eisenhower, Director, War Relocation Authority, May 6, 1942

Che Japanese Young Mens Christian Association

RHEAAARSGAH +E

DR. K. KITAGAWA eee

Oe ian ox vans 1530 BUCHANAN ST., SAN FRANCISCO mB ros- tm BRE

LINCOLN KANAI TELEPHONE WEsr 8720 + and + He

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

FRED Y. HOSHIYAMA fy ae ARE St WW i --*%

BOYS' WORK SECRETARY

CHOJURO NUMAJIRI a Bt w i k ER

ASSOCIATE SECRETARY

` 4 2

? CS ee 2 May 6, 1942

16 EUSSUplewsn

As we look ahead to the time when erops will need harvesting

and there will be a large number of idie restless men within the

WeReAs camps it seems very probable that cousiderable pressure will

ba brought te bear to utilizing theee man hours.

It would be desirable to have a well-thoucht out policy to

meet these demands for forced labor. One should be well aware that

the forces that have ereated the evacuation may be the ones that

demand the use of this labor and use the lfve of challenged loy-

alty to obtain this end. Judeiag from your previous statements

your response will verify the previously implied policy of "no

forsed labor."

in as muches the mechanism now established may set a precedent

for the rehabilitation of German and Italian evacuees and returna-

ing American soldiers, it seems imperative that a critical ex-

amination of oolicy be undertaken in this regard. Other groups

may follow such a precedent will include the vast members who by

foree of shifting economy must necessarily rehebilitate thenselives

in new occupations and new communities, It seems desirable that

ecollectivisu prevalling at that time may require a more integrated

coordination of various groupings so that we establish a process

that would lead to a pattern of living for the greatest good of

whe country.

Should you desizve further amplification om this, we shall be

very happy to discuss it with yous

Hoping te see you prior to beingtransferred to the assembly

center.

Yours,

Linecelin Kanai

YOUTH'S GREATEST ASSET IS CHARACTER; INVEST IN YOUTH.