World War II Database

29 Apr 1942

ww2dbaseHEADQUARTERS HAWAIIAN DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT COMMANDER
FORT SHAFTER, T. H.

29 April 1942

In reply refer to:
AG 350.05

Honorable John J. McCloy,
Assistant Secretary of War,
Washington, D. C.

My dear Mr. Secretary:

The report to you from the department of Justice, quoting Mr. Charles Pietsch and Mr. Angus Taylor, is so fantastic it hardly needs refuting. However, a few denials in connection with their statements on conditions in Hawaii seem indicated in view of the official position Mr. Taylor holds as Acting United States Attorney.

a. There are no schools in Hawaii where the Japanese language is used.
b. The feeling that an invasion is imminent is not the belief of most of the responsible people.
c. A Japanese military officer was not found in uniform with a kimono over it on December 7th.
d. There have been no known acts of sabotage committed in Hawaii.

I talked with Mr. Taylor at great length several weeks ago at which time he promised to furnish evidence of subversive or disloyal acts on the part of Japanese residents to me personally or to my G-2. Since that time he has, on several occasions, furnished information about individuals and groups which turned out to be based on rumors or imagination. He has furnished absolutely no evidence or information of value.

Mr. Taylor is a conscientious, but highly emotional, violently anti-Japanese lawyer who distrusts the FBI, Naval Intelligence and the Army Intelligence. This is perhaps due to the fact that he is not familiar with what these investigative agencies are doing. He is a forceful individual and a convincing talker and a visit by him to Washington would probably cause unnecessary confusion and perhaps some harm. I do not believe that he is sufficiently informed on the Japanese question to express an official opinion. Therefore, I feel that no useful purpose would be served by recalling him to Washington in order that he may state his personal views which are not based on a thorough knowledge of the situation in Hawaii.

As you well know, the Japanese element of the population in Hawaii constitutes one of our most serious problems but, in my judgment, there is no reason for you to change the opinions formed on your recent visit.

Sincerely,

[signed]
DELOS C. EMMONS,
Lieutenant General, U. S. Army,
Commanding. ww2dbase

Source: Densho Digital Repository
Added By: C. Peter Chen

Photographs

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