Statement by Dillon S. Myer, Director, War Relocation Authority, before the Costello Committee of the House Committee on Un-American Activities, July 6, 1943
Creator
Myer, Dillon S. (Dillon Seymour), 1891-1982: author
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Description
Statement by Dillon S. Myer before the Costello Committee of the House Committee on Un-American Activities: The manner in which the War Relocation Authority conducts its program is of concern to all the people in the United States, and it has a significance which goes far beyond the geographic boundaries of this country. Undoubtedly, the WRA program is being watched in Japan, where thousands of American soldiers and civilians are held as prisoners or internees; in China, India, Thailand, Burma, and many other countries whose collaboration we need if we are to defeat our enemies with a minimum loss of life. The manner in which the problem is treated has a direct bearing on relations with our allies in winning the war, and on the position of this nation in establishing the terms of peace. The manner grave international implications of this program demand that it be approached thoughtfully, soberly, and with maturity, and that public statements concerning it be made only after thorough understanding of the facts. The program of the War Relocation Authority has been under investigation for the past eight weeks in such a manner as to achieve maximum publicity of sensational statements based on half-truths, exaggerations, and falsehood; statements of witnesses have been released to the public without verification of their accuracy, thus giving nation-wide currency to many distortions and downright untruths. This practice has fostered a public feeling of mistrust, suspicion, and hatred that has had the effect of: Providing the enemy with material which can be used to convince peoples of the Orient that the United States is undemocratic and is fighting a racial war. Undermining the unity of the American people. Betraying the democratic objectives which this nation and its allies are fighting to preserve. It may lead to further mal-treatment of our citizens who are prisoners or who are interned." Document number C-0323-NOBU-WP. Personal correspondence, organizational records, government documents, publications, and other papers created or collected by Joseph R. Goodman documenting the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, as well as organized resistance to incarceration. Included in the collection are records of the Japanese Young Men's Christian Association and the Japanese American Citizens' League in San Francisco, including papers of the Japanese YMCA's executive secretary Lincoln Kanai; Sakai family papers; Goodman's correspondence to and from Japanese American incarcerees, organizations opposing forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans, the War Relocation Authority, and others; publications, photographs, and ephemera from the Topaz Relocation Center, where Goodman taught high school; War Relocation Authority records and publications; and newspaper clippings, pamphlets, and reports about forced removal and incarceration created by various government, religious, and civic organizations, in California and nationwide.
Type
text
Format
Official documents 1 page, 10.5 x 8 inches application/pdf
World War II--Administration--War Relocation Authority World War II--Incarceration camps World War II--Propaganda--U.S. Government Propaganda Nativism Race and racism
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