Government Responsibility
Roosevelt's Responsibility
Roosevelt felt it was his responsibility as Commander In Chief to protect the United States. His advisers were fearful that people of German, Italian, but especially Japanese ancestry would assist the enemy. This type of help was called a "Fifth Column." Newspaper articles and letters loudly proclaimed the danger of allowing Japanese aliens and citizens to remain near military areas.
Roosevelt felt it was his responsibility as Commander In Chief to protect the United States. His advisers were fearful that people of German, Italian, but especially Japanese ancestry would assist the enemy. This type of help was called a "Fifth Column." Newspaper articles and letters loudly proclaimed the danger of allowing Japanese aliens and citizens to remain near military areas.
Roosevelt Urged To "Clear Them Out!"
One article explained on February 1, 1942 that "It's high time for the round up of Enemy Aliens. . .Naturally the process of pulling the fangs of potential rattlesnakes (descendants of Japanese, German, and Italian) will impose hardships on many innocent people, but in time of war a nation whose very existence is threatened from without can't afford to take chances with threatening forces from within." (Abilene Reporter News Abilene, Texas February 1, 1942 p. 43) Another article claimed stated, "Clear them out! From this distance it seems to us that Japanese residents of the West coast are still too close to vital military and other defense installations. Enemy agents have been removed from 11 strategic defense areas on the Pacific but they are still close enough to do plenty of damage. (Delta Democratic Times Greenville, Mississippi February 20, 1942 p. 2)
One article explained on February 1, 1942 that "It's high time for the round up of Enemy Aliens. . .Naturally the process of pulling the fangs of potential rattlesnakes (descendants of Japanese, German, and Italian) will impose hardships on many innocent people, but in time of war a nation whose very existence is threatened from without can't afford to take chances with threatening forces from within." (Abilene Reporter News Abilene, Texas February 1, 1942 p. 43) Another article claimed stated, "Clear them out! From this distance it seems to us that Japanese residents of the West coast are still too close to vital military and other defense installations. Enemy agents have been removed from 11 strategic defense areas on the Pacific but they are still close enough to do plenty of damage. (Delta Democratic Times Greenville, Mississippi February 20, 1942 p. 2)