Ann Sunahara Reading Letters Intercepted by the Censor, interviewed by Ann Sunahara, 03 September 1977

Recorded on this tape are excerpts from intercepted letters in the Department of Labour files RJ27, volumes 1527, 1528, and 1529. These excerpts I believe were collected both for the purpose of censorship and for the purpose of determining the (?) policies amongst evacuees. First letter, written December 1943 from Lemon Creek to Montreal from a sister to a brother. Quote, While on contract (?) on Monday, M is not working. The men waited until noon at Bobby’s warehouse. But because supplies were not adequate for everyone, those who were under 18 were asked to be laid off until supplies were sufficient. And a meeting was held which by dinner time had not come to conclusion and was continued from seven again. But it was not through until one in the morning. All of (?) workers who had such greedy minds. The workers favoured to all start at the same time, to wait until supplies were sufficient. But (contract?) had favoured to those as far as supplies could be distributed to start ahead. Should they wait any longer, perhaps they may lose this chance. Towards the end it was like a fight But it couldn’t be helped as workers took such an unreasonable attitude at the meeting. When the contractors replied they definitely wanted to (go up?) the woods saying they will suit themselves but not a single one would go to work. That was fine with the contractors. So amongst themselves they had to choose some men for their positions such as saw fillers, et cetera. And they rearranged men into certain gangs. Mr. H and Mr. Y are saw filers I understand. Therefore, as they lacked men, many of the younger boys under 18 were put back on again. Seinenkai has distributed their younger boys amongst the gangs. As for the older men too, they came to an understanding that each member was to receive equal wages which is not fair like (?)and would receive the same as (?) families and they will have to work the hardest. I suppose that young guys such as Roy (?). Mr. S was saying they only put six to seven (?) in one day between the (?) in the group so that they were talking about reorganizing again. However, I sincerely hope everything turns out okay. But there certainly has been a lot of disagreements and individual quarrels. I know you boys wouldn’t like them if you were working amongst them. Letter March 1943. From Caucasion who has taken over a farm for a Japanese. Insert quote, (?) and I don't understand why you should think we are not looking after your farm. (Arnie?) had promised you before you moved away that he intends to stay here until you come back. It’s the government. We too have heard lots of stories. Some of the people on Japanese farms didn’t get a fair deal. They worked from the ground and (berries?) and on thirty days notice to put another family there. (We? They?) don’t want to work for nothing. But they don’t work the ground at all. (?) says you should (?). Somebody else had told us the contract we have was not worth anything but the government, that the government could break it. It's only for people that don’t look after places properly. He says he’s not going to worry about stories until he hears from the government. When the representative was here after you left, he said our contract with you was in order. Letter from Caucasion friend to Japanese relocated to Alberta . With respect to (?) farm. Our family members in Alberta are living in the Moriyama house. (Ten children and their?) parents. No (?) grown this year. (?) at the Hashimoto place are taken down and (?) and berries. The units of (hot field?) you know it’s in many fields running wild. Let alone the Japanese fields are being looked after (?) Japanese people cared for them. (?) Japanese goods have been sold by the Custodian at auctions. So many people express their hateful feelings towards the Japanese but personally we’ll be glad to see people come back to their homes again. Written in May 1944. Letter from mother to son with respect to property from London , Ontario . Answer from the Custodian to the Telegraph.

This time as they have sold the machine for $1600 and rented the house for $2000. They would like us to send the necessary papers. According to the Custodian the papers were not necessary when renting. They promised to sell things at a good price (?). At that time they could’ve sold (?) for over $1800 and they would not let it go for that cheap price therefore they were going to hold it on for us. At present, it could not be bought for $2500 and at that price it couldn’t be sold even if it is wartime the Custodian’s actions are very thoughtless. We do not know with what arrangements they have rated the house. They rented it out without telling us a word. Whenever they are selling war bonds we always buy them and even the children do for the sake of the country. So it’s quite unnecessary to (?) us in this manner. Not only the Custodian but the government should also know by this time how much the Japanese have helped the country. The Custodian has done some hard things. Letter from friend to friend. Interior BC , May 1944 with respect to working conditions. Being at (?) sawmills (?). We ignored permission to do so. There seems to be some arrangement between BCSC and the owner of the sawmill (?) change in our jobs. But (?) engineers quite reluctant to have us leave. The (war?) applications were sent in a long time ago. Two young men from Tashme has been (?) in (?) for us. We are handicapped by being the Isseis. Probably there is nothing else we could do. As you know, we asked for an increase in our pay (?) the pay should not be over 25 cents an hour. After the (?), five men hired on the spot were cut back to three. We really should be proud of this fact. (?) are allowed to choose access. Just at the time, when the weather permits, our (?) rates of pay. We cannot understand why the government is making us suffer this way. (The road camp?) is to be handled as an evacuees camp. And yet, we are not allowed to set up our own homes. There (?) any probability of ever being able to do so. It is all very inconsistent to note but in the circumstances we are (carrying up) the Labour Minister and (?) determined to do our best. The only regret is that our good solution will not be believed by the public. Letter from son to mother. From internment camp, June 1944. I am so sorry to have caused you so much anxiety. For over a month I’ve had (?) day (?) hoping to be able to return to you, mother. But I was refused permission today as return to Toronto is banned. According to Yoshiko’s letter the other day, that I was to be allowed into Toronto for the duration of my illness is what the (?) told her. That is quite different to what I am told today. I was told today it would have been of no avail no matter how much I have been treated to go home on (?) my illness. It is just like cutting the rope between my hopes and my life. By (?)ing in this manner, if they still do not allow me to leave this place there seems to be no adequate excuse to leave. Even if by collapsing through illness there is nothing to do (between?) here’s a Japanese (?) duties as a man. Letter from sister to brother. With respect to conditions to (?) she has heard of them. Quote, Received the letters today and I thought I should rush my letters. Seeing that you are going out (?) it’s hard for you to stay there but mother and sister-in-law think it’s better for you to stay where you are. Outside it isn’t very good. It’s all prejudice. Out east, one of the boys in Hamilton wrote to my girl friend’s boyfriend not to come. He was all ready to go but he quit now. I heard of one of the boys, he went to the east in (?) sugar beet to visit. He said it was not very good out east. The boys haven't gotten steady jobs. The boys have to (?) on selective service. Some places which are (?) renting houses are high, restaurants are high, everything is high. It is not very good. Some restaurants won’t let Japanese in. While it is that, you know how it is. The boys are suffering. One other thing, if you go out (?) cannot get relief. Letter from Caucasian friend in Vancouver to evacuee in Toronto with reference to property. We had a letter from Lily asking us to sell some furniture for them. It is also (?) second-hand (?) so I guess we are stuck with it. The things are any good such as electric fans, sewing machines and such they do not wish to sell.

I do not think it will ever pay to have them sent down there. If they are going not to be allowed to come back. By the talk around here, I doubt very much of the Japanese will be allowed on the coast again. Anyways, only time will tell. I see there are some cases coming up in court to do with Japanese property which has been sold. (?) nearly all have been sold. I would send the cutting to you but not knowing if it would get by. There was some Japanese here from Tashme . The girl has spoken once before (?) just after she went there and hurt her spine. She was down here to go to a specialist and (?) an operation. She said they do not know things are in storage and are being sold. Or that their property has been (?). They have not heard from (?) either. She says that if anyone dies there (?) big fire and for days after (?). It’s just terrible. She said the authorities ordered this done. Letter from a friend to a friend written from an internment camp. June of 1944. When I look back on my attitude at the time of my arrest, my imprisonment at the immigration depot and now for two years my internment here I have no words with to express my deep feeling. The authorities have to get us (?) any crime. And we might expect (?) to be freed to join our families. As you know well about my wife’s poor health, we have had to as Mrs. Kondo to take care of the children. I have quoted the circumstances more than once and asking authorities to allow me to return to care for my children. But such permission has not been given to date. On March 20th my wife was taken to the New Denver hospital. Written from (?) camp in Princeton to a self support settlement. Friend to friend. Quote, There is such a great difference between the wages and living conditions here and outside. But many of our boys want to go outside to find work. But the engineering (charge?) absolutely refuses to let the good workers go. He on the other hand forces the lazy ones to go whether they wish it or not. All the men say the only way to get permission to leave is to be lazy. (Maggie?) and I have been know as the good boys since we came here. So the whole camp is watching with address to see whether he would let us go as we have requested. May 1944. Letter from Kaslo to Alberta . Friend to a friend. May 1944. This is rather changing the subject but honestly I’m getting so darn sick and tired living in a place like this. Bunch of narrow-minded, two-faced people that I want to get out of here and never come back. Another trouble is that when there’s a bunch of Japanese together they all get into small bunches and they won’t cooperate with others. Some will try to cooperate but another bunch doesn’t. And the gang that doesn’t cooperate are usually the ones that speak more Japanese. Letter from Slocan to Greenwood . May 1944. We arrived here (probably?) around the 20th of April. (?) and we still have no home. We have been fooled. Commissioner Green had told us on our arrival we could choose a house (whatever?) we liked in Slocan and he gave us a letter at the commission at Slocan but all the houses are under the management of the Japanese Committee. To know all the details, the circumstances would have to be explained fully. Which, should there be others who are coming here, please tell them to be careful and not be fooled. We consider that we have been made victims (?) be patient. Letter. Sister to brother. May 1944 with respect to selling properties. Say boys, the Custodian hold the property (?) Kennedy. They have received a letter saying so. They sold the four pieces for $14 and he (?) so much for tax (?) left $93. It’s a bloody shame. $1000, well that’s what Ted paid for it for $93 and (?) we can do about it. We’re helpless. Ted sent letters of protest but what good is that going to do? I heard they sold (Oo’s?) home (?) they may have sold our home. Oh heavens I pray they haven’t. (?) mom and dad sick. (?) notified I suppose. If they do, it’s in his name. The whole thing seems fishy to me. Shouldn’t (?) get $93 for $1000 worth of land. Others have had that happen to their homes and furniture sold next to nothing. And the money’s not your own in a way. Someone’s doing their damn best to get us out of BC and not caring what they do, so it seems to me. When things are (?) I feel like bucking against them whether it does any good or not. I never say any of these things to anyone because I don’t want anyone to feel as I do. It sure makes me boiling mad so I (?) in this paper. BC newspapers which are rather disgusting (?) all true about the Japanese Canadians.

From husband to wife in internment camp. May of 1944. We have no specific cause for anxiety here except the end of the war is not yet in sight. How long do we stay locked up here? We, who have committed no crime, have been put in here for an indeterminate period. I cannot understand why we cannot return to our families. According to my thought, if this war drags on and on, authorities would not want us to leave here forever. They will let married men go back to their families I suppose. As you well know, both the US and Canada (preached?) in humanitarianism. They shut (?) of us up at the beginning of the war. Surely this is opposed to the humane policy of this country. We are hoping day by day that a good solution will be found for our (?). If not, I suppose there’s nothing for it but to wait patiently as possible. Letter from a friend to a friend. May 1944. To tell you the truth, I almost gave up hope of coming here. Everything would’ve been alright if I had come around the middle of March like fellows from Yard Creek did. But just because I decided to stay in Vernon until the mill was started here, I almost missed coming here. In case you read in the paper about the anti-Japanese movement which was going on in Kamloops . Selective Services wouldn’t give me a permit because they were told that Kamloops was soon to be made a protected area. And that all Japanese would be kicked out anyway. I had to go back into town about four or five times before they finally issued me the permit. I doubt if I could’ve come here if my brother hadn’t talked to the manager about the trouble I was having and the manager hadn’t (?) Kamloops Selective Services okayed. And if the Kamloops Selective Services hadn’t given its okay to the Vernon Selective Services, lots of ‘ifs’, why. Fortunately, very fortunately my brother did talk with the manager and the manager did get an okay from the Kamloops Selective Services. The Kamloops Selective Service then gave its okay to the Vernon Selective Services. Well, that’s how I was able to come here. Letter from son to parents. Written June 1944 from the internment camp, Angler in Ontario . At first the news was good. I thought the war would be over in half a year. With that idea in mind, the Japanese went off to relocation towns (?) relying on the relief money promised by the government. Now (?) policy (?) scattering the Japanese all over the country. Many have gone east of the Dominion (?) where they have done so with the feeling the war would last quite a long time. They are facing the dark uncertainties and facing the future with courage and going ahead with the education and marriage problem of their children, et cetera. It is not with Japanese all over the world are facing the same hardship. Our mission is to conquer all the difficulties of (racist?). When the time comes (?) peace will come once more. Until that time, we here in this internment camp will fully resolve and stand firm. End of quote. Letter, friend to friend. April 1928 from the interior of BC . It only seems yesterday I used to ride you to school on bike. Remember? Those were the good old days. (?) even though we were plain Japs to them, we really believe in our own native land. The good old maple land forever. (Didn’t we?) In fact I still do. Letter, wife to husband. From Roseberry to internment camp. By your letter yesterday I learnt that you have informed me of the sale of our house in Vancouver . The letter you speak of has not yet arrived so I know nothing of the sale. When I got your letter yesterday I felt so badly that I could not help crying. Where can we buy land and settle after the war? The machinery in the factory and our car have been sold with our residence. So there should be some cash with the Custodian . I would like to (?) per month. Though I have written many times, I can get no answer. It is our money and I am in need of it. And it seems as if we should have access to it according to our needs. These entire excerpts have been deleted from the letter according to the notations on the censorship form accompanying the letter. Letter, friend friend. Living conditions at Tashme , April 1944. At Tashme there are some 300 small houses, 24 by 16 feet built for Japanese evacuees. These are very close and each house accommodates two families unless one family has over five members. Even though some houses will stand vacant, families sharing these tiny overcrowded houses are not allowed to occupy the vacant ones. The size of the house (?) agreement on the POW treatment.

There are great many children. Schools are fairly satisfactory. Pupil 600. There are no private stores. The only stores are run by the Commission and prices are high compared to the prices of privately operated stores in other interior towns. Recreational facilities are poor. Tashme as a town has no future. Letter, wife to husband. May 1944. Speaks of difficulties (?) are having a hard time. End of people postponing their trips east because of these rumours. Brother in Kaslo writing to bother in Toronto . (?) conditions, April of 1944. We are so far behind in our subjects we cannot take our tests properly. Some tests were concealed until after Easter. Even before we take a chapter and most of the students don’t even know we’re on the chapter they (?) a couple of tests before Easter. Most of the White students croaked but didn’t get anywhere because there’s only ⅕ of Whites in our school grade. Mostly Japanese. When we sort of took the subject Japan, for social science the White guys gave us a dirty look because our knowledge of Japan was far greater than theirs. In the town the Japanese (don’t?) get along with the English. Always a quarrel or fight. With the Japanese, the majority of the kids did (?) and always chased them away with slingshots. That’s the only weapon we’ve got. These (?) bunkheads, dumb in school. Don’t even know how to make a slingshot. However the man gave us hell and we had to throw our slingshots away. Although there may be bad (points?) there are also many good (points?) about this race hatred. Everybody seems to be a crackshot (?) slingshot. Letter from friend to friend from Toronto to Alberta. August 1944. Well nothing new has happened in Toronto so far except that there’s quite a to-do about that (?) bill. You've probably read all about it in the New Canadian . Really, it’s amazing how the church people stand up for us. You feel that not everyone is against you after all. Of course there are a lot of people who see prejudice and racism as necessary evil and a natural condition (?) unless it was present. On the other hand, there are more and more people who are coming to understand our position and show their friendship. It’s rather difficult to say which outnumber the other because so many of them sympathize with us are afraid to give their opinion in case they are criticized for being friendly to Japan or traitors to the country or something like that. That is the biggest mistake of the people who hate us. They call us Japs and think of the native Japanese. I think that there are very few people who look at us as fellow Canadians (?). Even among our (?) friends. I suppose it boils down to the fact (?) features and we look so different from the other racists that we cannot quite become as Canadianized as the rest. I suppose the way think and act accounts. Still, with the people that don’t know and think of us seems to amount a great deal more (?) now we are treated. (?) show that we were not Canadian, yet look at what happened. Letter from uh Alberta to Tashme. August 1944. Do you remember (?) Alberta Japanese being able to vote? Well that’s just amongst (?) (the big joke?) was on us after all. But it sure did look as if we could vote. What was our names taken on the voters list, et cetera. We were all set to vote when jus the day before the election date the (news coming in from Edmonton ?) classified us that we couldn’t vote. The Edmonton reason for refusing us the right to vote was this, the evacuation of Japs in Alberta are all temporary residents of the province. Therefore we can’t vote. Technically the Edmonton statement is quite true. But in actual practice our stay isn’t temporary. If it is temporary, and it could be for very few, I believe the majority will stay in Alberta. More so now because the federal government’s statement regarding the dispersement after the war. (?) that place which we are to return? Is it in BC ? If so, are our property and houses waiting for our return? No. The answer to that is definitely no. If we have no place to return after the war then isn’t it logical that those in Alberta or Manitoba or wherever they are likely to stay where they are? That’s my conclusion. The government statement and their actions certainly do not harmonize because we Japanese throughout Canada don’t know what’s coming off. Perhaps the key source of this misunderstanding or condition or whatever (?) is the lack of (community?) between the federal and provincial capitals. Whatever it is, damned to find out what and where (?) come. All I know is that us Japanese Canadians are (?) on the receiving end... Let’s see what you have to say about this question, eh?

Transcript of a telephone conversation between Vancouver Sun reporter, Don Carlson and Tom Shoyama , editor of the New Canadian . In answer to the question whether he would welcome such a thing as segregation, Shoyama replies, We think it’s a very logical move to make. Particularly because Mr. King himself said in the House of Commons the fundamental task was to decide if these people were loyal. And if they were loyal, then they would have to be regarded as citizens with rights for settlement and rights to pursue a peaceful occupation. We feel of course that it is carried out on a racial basis. And that it is not fully democratic in that way. And the contention would be that if it’s applied to these people, persons of Japanese origin, why should it not be applied to persons of other origin? That'll be in accordance with what we call British justice, wouldn't it?. In answer to the question as to whether these people want to come back here at all, Shoyama to the coast, Shoyama replied, Well I suppose (great?) many of us would like to. But the thing is, if they are settled somewhere and earning a living, why they are not likely to leave all that and go back and hope of establishing themselves on the Pacific coast. So the logical is to just go ahead and make sure people are satisfactorily settled before the end of the war. The fact is of course, if I go to Toronto for instance and I establish myself there with a job at the end of the war, even if I prefer Vancouver to Toronto, I’m not going to quit my job and go back to the coast and hope of finding a new job there. Especially where a great deal of attention has been given to the rehabilitation of returned soldiers. And that’s going to (?) everyone. I think whether it's for Alberta (?) the reporter (?) they get this all cleaned up before the end of the war (?) from your point of view and point of view of other people who have to be rehabilitated. Is that the idea?. Shoyama’s reply, I think it’s quite important that the program should be speeded up before the end of the war because it’s going to have to face a much larger problem at that time. That is, the position of 22 or 3000 people of Japanese origin. Reporter, In other words, you would welcome the whole scheme? Shoyama, Oh yes certainly. It would give us some relief from uncertainty regarding the future. So long as there is a considerable amount of (?) compulsory deportation. And no formal (standing?) by the government on the matter. Why it’s always a possibility. See, so if I figure (?) from going to Ontario and trying to make a living there, if at the end of the war (?) picked up and shipped out of the country I might as well just stick to where I am. That would be the attitude. But if people are going to be given the assurance they are not going to be disturbed after the war, if they handle themselves satisfactory and are law abiding citizens working at productive work, I think they will be more willing to go on and take a chance on establishing themselves. And (?) considerable difficulty (?) public opinion and public prejudice. And it’s not particularly easy for them in a place like this. In answer to the reply to (the reporter)’s question as to if there will be a possibility that there might be some disloyal Japanese, Shoyama replies, Well, I would say that there are a number of people who signed up for repatriation voluntarily. Who has signified they would (?) to Japan . Now that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are disloyal. But that they are simply fed up with how they have been treated here. They figured they would get better treatment in Japan.. Shoyama’s conversation August 1944, 11am. Letter, friend to friend with regards to property. Without consulting us, they sold the only property we owned and not handed over a cent. Selling our properties and holding back the money. Have you ever heard of such illogical talk? Even if we protested it, it would be useless. It seems they took all of the things that were in the house. Even took the waste paper. And sold everything for a mere (?). When we were evacuated, we left these things in the care of a couple. They were all things not reported to the Custodian . When we heard our house had been sold, (?) asking to sell these things for us, he relied, ‘The officials had come and said he was not to touch one single thing in the house. We cannot do as we like. Not even with our own thing. The unreasonable is the more (?) and nothing we can do about it. Pass letter in August 1944. Letter, friend to friend. From Ontario .

August 1944 written apparently to his employer. To enlighten his employer on the Japanese Canadian situation and also to indicate his reaction to Bill 135, Section 5. Which is the franchising bill. It reads in par, (?) including the veterans of the last war, we lost our cameras, boats, cars, and finally our home. And when they enforced curfews on us, lost our established sources of income, and when we had to report our every move and refused free travel, when our leading universities admitted enemy alien and not several brilliant students who had but one more year to become graduate engineers, when insurance companies refused policies on racial grounds, when some encouraged enemy immigration strongly advocated deportation of certain groups of native born Canadians, when cities fought to keep out Canadians that had dark eyes, black hair, not to mention the inhumane suffering we experienced. Those of us who were able to think logically lost all. But after all, this is war time. When everyone suffers and anything were excusable although entirely unjustifiable. We still had faith in what our leaders told us. We were fighting to establish (our?) right. When professions collapsed and institutions closed to races, when certain people were taxed without representation, when (?) supported popular racist protests pertaining to trade licenses, residence and like (?) to mention without their accordance. We understood that though these racial conditions were not universal, or even worse in other parts in America , one form of tolerance had led to another. What is the ultimate combination going to be like? I am beginning to lose faith because for the first time something has occurred which cannot be put aside as narrow-mindedness of any local groups. The whole of Canada is in agreement to discriminate. (?) Also, others would go to the war to fight Asians for Asianics but advocate to keep America White. To use an analogy, members of a prosperous happy family. Of course, we have no desire to be part of an unhappy (?) family. Many see that the solution is not at all reciprocal to where their views (?) as if I were the one there. To carry the analogy further, to be perfectly frank, if I were to (?) not convinced that the household I used to live (?) I’d (?) my love for it. In fact, I would not feel guilty in sympathizing if I were on the other side of the tracks. The view of one person isn’t significant. But there are thousands like myself (?) the same canoe. (?) of Japanese origin (?) minority groups, we have burnt our bridges behind us to follow the only way of life we know. The Canadian way. We have kept our chins up (?) has disappeared long ago. If the (?) of us also despair, who is to blame? I hope and pray the real purpose of our struggle is not to be forgotten. Letter from evacuee in Alberta to friend in Mission City . (?), china and other household items, August 1944. I am sorry to trouble you again. But will you kindly help us out again? I buried all our chinaware in the barrel in (?). So would you take them out and send them to us if you have time? My younger brother, Tak, is going to get married in the fall. So I need all those things. Please dig them up as soon as you have time. And keep them at your place until you have time to pack them and ship them by VPR Express. And mark on the top of the box Glass. If you think you will have trouble shipping them under my name, please address to J-A-M-Y (?) and it’ll be no trouble. We’ll pay the express charge on my end. I buried the chinaware between (?) behind the barrel. Enclosed is a letter explanations on where things are buried. Letter, friend to friend. August 1944. A friend who (?) receiving relief as (?) will not be given anymore. That money is used up. This is something that needs some thinking. We cannot even send an order to (?) thoughtlessly. Income and expenditure is clearly examined then.

Letter, friend to friend. August 1944. From Kaslo , BC. We’re relocating. It’s (?) we’re strongly persuaded to go east. I am a veteran of the last war (?) my years. During the last war I threw my whole and risked my life for Canada in Great Britain . Being wounded and (?). Yet I am being told to go east. Really, I am amazed that the authorities are so brainless. They really should be limited to their oppression. We strongly believe there will be some retribution to those who treat the country’s benefactory in this way. I feel this harsh treatment, disgusted. August 1944. Letter from Alberta to Kaslo between friends. Complains by the way he’s been treated by the British Columbia Security Commission , Selective Service. Tales of (?) his dog and frozen to his position for the duration. And he’s told that and uh then getting the officials to change their tune and saying they were only frozen for 90 days. Unless respiration is granted by the service. Letter, friend friend. Uh, July of 1944. With relation to racial discrimination. So in every town there is discrimination. And right here in Grimsby , there is too. The (volume?) as long as there is even one Chink in a restraunt to (?) that. And in the show we have one section reserved for us, all the Japs. Piles in there. No matter how crowded the show is, that section is always reserved so there is no fear of us needing to stand up. But for all of this, I’d rather stand up for the whole length of the movie than be separated and be treated this way. But people in general are all very nice. Maybe because of the chairman (?) here. So you remember the treatment they recorded in the last store. We are in the same position as they were so I guess (?) kindness of the people. It’s the big shots who (?) fuss about. The local councilor (?) office track right now. I think he has ambitions with Ottawa, his goal. Well, he’s picking defensive minorities. I wonder if he has a conscience. I imagine it's not very big. Letter, mother to son. August, uh, July 1944. (Yoshimoto?) You should still have some money. She was not given relief for this month. So the (?) said along with $700 less besides out of that $200 was sent to (?). That money has been sent since coming from Hastings Park . Back then they were children and there is only $60 left. She was told to get the money back from the minister (?) she was given $39 a month. And if that was not sufficient, she was overspending. Social welfare should last a child half an year and that $39 ought to be enough to carry on with. (?) has three children and with (?) commodities as high as they are now, how could she do that. And though she discussed it fully to get the money back from the (minister?), Mrs was very annoyed. The old lady at the welfare is an old (?) never having (?)she doesn't understand. She has no blood or tears. From all sides, she made everybody angry. Letter, friend friend. July 1944. (?) attending a dance and only being able to get one dance before refused for all the others. The only who danced was the wife of a hakujin friend. (?) Letter, mother to son. July 1944. (?) property of the (?). Those fellows of the Custodian wrote that they were sold at the beginning of June. The price was so low it was not worth mentioning. $2100 I believe and the insurance money of $2000 to be handed over. (?) by for liability they say. They can only give us $51 of the insurance money for the furniture. What do you think? Do you think Custodians are (?)? I consider them terrible thieves! Not doing things they were asked to do, they have continuously done things they should not have done. (?) father and I have built up (?) I should never forgive this. It was (?) price (?) before the land was sold because it was (?) liability or something to the buyer. I cannot understand. (?) my heart is so very sore. Letter, sister to brother June 1944.

(?) from the Custodian that they have sold father’s property for $1700. Awfully cheap isn’t it. And that they are not going to give father any more maintenance. (?) going to send $84 taken out from the $1700 monthly. Which father is supposed to (?) monthly until the money runs out. Now isn’t that the dirtiest trick to do. But there is nothing we could do about it. So we just have to take it and like it. This hit father pretty hard because now it means that he’s eating out of his own money. Then he was offered the job as a security guard at the golf course and he took it. So now he’s a busy working man. His work is to make the grass cut in the golf course and keeping it neat. From Kaslo , BC. Letter between friends. April 1945. With respect to repatriation. I presume you were all worrying about this prison affair. If it were just a question between returning to Japan or staying in this country then it would not amount too much. But encumbering it with loyalty or disloyalty gives us new alternatives. Since it has made a policy it (?) of great concern to some of the people. There appears to be quite a lot of illogical elements in this policy. We have not (?) circumstances protested or disputed. After it has been thought over, well, we must (?) absolutely to face it. Letter from Slocan to Alberta. Quote, in uh April, of 1945. We were terribly worried about the disloyal business but the heck who cares. If we’re loyal, we go east. If we’re disloyal, stay but we go to Japan afterwards I guess. Well, whatever happens, we’ll find out by May. The Mounties are coming around in the first week of May to take the verdict. We were intending to be loyal. But we can’t go east for another year so... Last month we decided to be disloyal. Sooner or later we might be disloyal again. The mind and the mood changes so abruptly, you know. I hear Tashme ’s going to hold out until they hear some answers to their questions from Ottawa . So I guess Slocan would be a week later. Well, come what May, we’ll stick together with mum. Do let me know what you intend to do. Isn’t it a pitiful situation for us? I mean Nisei, we’re people without a country. We’re not wanted here. We’re not suited for Japanese customs. Gosh what a pickle. If we go east, we’ll be called Japs and shunned. And if we go to Japan, they’ll consider us something like hakujin because we were born and educated out here in America. Friend to friend. April 1945. I came to this country as a baby some fourteen (forty?) years ago and I would like to remain here. But as you know, I am not very well. And if I go east of the Rockies rather than Nihon (Japan) I’m afraid it would be very difficult. So I am greatly puzzled as to what I should do. Letter between brother, April 1945. I say I guess you saw in the letter which I wrote Kiyoshi (Tobi?) went into the army. Well that was all rumout but about Gene (Yoshida?)’s brother, that’s completely true. There were some other Nisei guys that went in the army though. You know Kay Oh? Well her brother’s in the army now. There’s quite a few guys in the army now. All the ghost towns, people aren;t going to sign. Either of the papers I think. I hear that the repatriation stuff is completely voluntary stuff so they aren’t going to sign this. And did you know they won’t go out east because they’re afraid they might run out of jobs. I’d much prefer to stay in Canada. And if there are more racial empathies in this country then go back. Letter, New Denver to person relocated in Toronto. April 1945. Don’t listen to rumours. There are a lot of Niseis signing loyalty to this country since we feel we belong here. Of course there are a lot going back. More now than before since the government sold their homes, et cetera, without their consent. They don’t trust the government after they have all the power to go back on their promises. So in a way you can’t blame them for singing for repatriation. Even if they don’t want to go back to Japan a lot of people are scared to stay here. They think they’ll be shipped back and forth like cattle and they’re tired. They want to feel settled. With us, even if we're kicked around it would be in Canada for us because I think there’s no place like home. Canadians do not believe us or trust us. That is our cross. Strange how much war can rock such hate on individuals when we, who did not choose to cause war, have to suffer. I think Niseis are a people without a country. I’m afraid I’ll act like a timid soul when I go into a large city or even a small town where race prejudice is strong because we’ve been cloistered too long and protected from such in these interior towns.

We only read about these hatred so I don’t know how we’re going to take it. How is Toronto? Granted there will always be people who would shower their hate one us. Is it quite as bad? Or just fair? I (?) to be expected. Rumours here tell us (?) in Canada will have to go east right away. And not just anywhere they suggest even if it’s up north Timberland or sugar beet farms and that they’ll force the men to join them up. How true? I don’t know. I would take them just with a grain of salt. Dad, you know, stated time to time again he’ll go back to Japan. He feels that he’s too old now and would like to retire. Tashme I hear were signing there. But Tashme is run by a Japanese committee. Pretty gangster-like. Poor individuals have nothing to say. (Writer?) to his family in Lemon Creek . April 1945. Where the writer writes from Revelstoke . Received mother’s letter yesterday and yours today. Sometimes I like to bash every one of those that are in ghost towns (?) how they are making a fuss over the new government. Every one of their heads are too backwards. Couldn’t see their future or at least they’re not trying to. Best thing for us is to sign to go east regardless of what other narrow-minded fools think. I don’t give a damn which you would not do. Perhaps you and mum and the rest would go to Japan but I’m not. You know as well as I do that Japan’s going to lose. And you have studied Germany after the last war. Have you studied Germany after the last war? Their economic condition and all that. As far as I’m concerned, as I previously stated, I don’t give a hoot on what you guys do. And I promise I will support every one of my family wherever they go. Tell mum she doesn’t have to worry about that. And I know mum doesn’t want me to go east. I would be glad if I could join Canada’s Armed Forces. But on certain conditions the Canadian government gives franchise to every Japanese Canadian. Not only to Japanese Candians that served for Canada but every single Japanese Canadian over voting age. Should we receive (?) on equal treatment but I have not given up hope (?) citizenship. All these guys that decided to go to Japan have been defeated by those politicians who use this as a political football. Letter from Tashme to the Internment Camp in Angler . April 1945. You remember the discouraging news these days? I believe you were right in that most is an effect of propaganda. Over here there is news from a different point of view. Or shall I say a different source. I would like to write about such things but since I know it will not be true I will refrain from doing so. You also mentioned similar rumours floating around. The same ones are heard here too. They seem to have little truth. But most of them are more or less threats to frighten us. By the way, several fathers who are interned have moved into Tashme lately from other housing centers. I think that more will come gradually because provisions are made here for accommodating many more families. This week in Tashme we were required to reply for repatriation to Japan or going east further from the Rockies. Everything put into proclamation, the official words are so mixed up that we cannot tell what to do. Official laws are changing from one day to the next just like the weather. It’s all disgusting and annoying that I suppose it will blow away like any bad weather to the (?). Slocan to Toronto . April 1945. Let us know if you are going to stay in Canada or not. Must know to make arrangements for marriage. Can you come for a couple months of vacation? (?) is going east. I (?) reply. Letter, friend to friend. Slocan to Alberta. The writer’s brother is in the Armed Forces. April, 1945. We can stay here if we wanted to. Our husbands can go outside and work. That is, if we were loyal. We’d have to go east. Or on the other end, back to Japan. (There’s?) work outside this place I guess. But what is the difference? Wherever you go, a Jap is a Jap. Wife to husband. From Slocan to an Internment Camp. April 1945. Everyone here is worrying about whether to go to Japan or remain here and relocate east of the rockies. I don’t know what to do. I want to go to Japan but I certainly don;t want to be kicked out the way they are going to do it. They say it is voluntary but I am sure it is not voluntary. If they come and picked you up and kicked you out, there is no alternative then before they make you decide for yourself. Whether you want to stay is another proposition. I think (?) at the end of ourselves. And (?) me don’t know what to do. You could go to the east with the same story with myself, my sister, and my brother. When we grew up, (?) Japs, our faces are still yellow. We cannot join the social sets of the Whites.

Just like my own experiences in Vancouver . If we go to Japan, (?) standard may go down but (?) can belong to any social setup. But me, I don’t know. I won’t know anywhere unless they make Nisei-mura (village). They make Nisei-mura for the Nisei. So that’s the story George. Letter, friend to friend. From Tahme to Kaslo. You know that document was voluntary but I call it compulsory. And to think Canada calls themself a democratic country (?) why we’re all here. Look at (?) you allowed to return to the coast. How come the Germans don’t have to move when they’re in the same category as us? Friend to friend. Slocan to Toronto. April 1945. I don’t not... I too have not worked for about four months and I’m still without anything to do. They have sold our house and all the furniture for a mere (?). They will not give us any relief. Nor are we given any of the proceeds from sales we want. We are very embarrassed. In any case, we intend to return to Japan. Letter, parents to sons. Lemon Creek to Hamiliton . Received your letter. Written in April, 1945. Received your letter. I am glad you and Frank are working steadily. We did a lot of worrying over here (?) plan to go east but then we thought it over and decided not to go. (?) BC Superindient came over and talked about the east. And said that 70 million soldiers is coming home after the war. No work for Japanese. No business for the Japanese. And no Japanese will be able to buy land and we might not get relief. So that is why we changed our mind. And you guys better remember this too. Wherever Japanese go, we’ll be treated as Japanese so don’t forget you guys are Japanese. (Immigrant?) Segregation will come up on April 23rd. And at the end of this war talking about going back to Japan. So you guys better go to the RCMP or the BCSC (?) sign the paper to go back to Japan too. You guys say you’re loyal to Canada, you will most likely be taken as a soldier. If we hear that you guys join up the only we, mom and pop could do is kill ourselves. It’s going to be a disgrace to us relatives. So whatever you do, don’t. Whatever people tell you, tell them you are going back to Japan. If you guys say you are going back to Japan there might be no work for you. Tell now or put in an application to BCSC saying you want to come to Lemon Creek. If you guys think this idea was alright about going back to Japan please write and say you will. If you guys are thinking about different things, say so. Please read this letter three times to understand it. Write immediately because segregation is coming up and we have to decide. The government representative by the name of Pickersgill was here a few days ago and spoke to us on all sorts of matters. That after the war 700 soldiers would be coming so there will be no more work for Japanese. We won’t be able to start up any business or buy land or be given any more relief. Always remember that a Japanese is a Japanese to the end. So please, do not forget the Japanese spirit. At Lemon Creek an investigation into the loyal and disloyal take place from April 23rd. We are being disloyal and they are going to decide to return to Japan after the war. If loyal, you’ll be taken as soldiers. Should you two be taken as soldiers there is nothing else for us to do but die. If you decide to return to Japan after the war, then you two come back here to us, no matter what. They others have to say do not (beat?) out of strength. Without fail, go to the Mounties yourselves and tell them you are going back to Japan after the war. Letter to son from parents. April 1945. From Slocan to Dryden . We wrote as soon as the (?) you would send to us but we believe that now anyone with a family would not be let (allowed) in. Since we do not want to be apart from you, pop has told me to write to you to decide to return to Japan. Please decide to return to Japan. We have to sign what we want to do on April 23rd, 24. If we say we do not want to go back to Japan, we do not know where we’ll be sent. So hence this request. Letter, friend to friend. Tashme to Raymond , Alberta. April 1945. Here in Tashme we are having enough (?) about this voluntary repatriation. ‘If you are to repatriate, you have to sign the ‘Declaration’.’ That you would give over your citizenship, my god. If we sign this, where are we with no rights.

If (?) this thing, in the notices it says an application. But really, it’s a ‘declaration’ with three, four witnesses. It says we have to report every one of us. Our choice is not voluntary but compulsory voluntary. It makes me so mad when they talk about democracy, et cetera when they do things like this. When they say the naturalized have to go east, we don’t sign it. But the nationals don;t need to. I guess we would be going east eventually since my brother is out there. My only worry is how I am going to go (in?) Toronto. I hear the housing situation is really bad there. Maybe it might be better if we don’t go in the city. But we certainly would be losing our jobs when the war is over. We won’t have a chance with returned soldiers. So it might be better if we had a little victory garden to depend on. Letter from friend to friend. March 1945. Last month tea was sent here by (?) he asked told me that (?) while he was in Kaslo. He said he could not understand why the government could not approve his intention. He said one day he was insulted by a government official at the Commission 's Office. He being pure Japanese national (?) lost his temper and broke a window. By that reason he was punished by three months in jail. But he told authorities he didn’t care how long his sentence would be. Consequently his sentence was increased to six months. He said in fact, his offence wasn’t so bad. But the punishment was more so a warning to young people. The authorities have (?) in Slocan (?) accused. Later he applied for relief but was refused by the government. He got so mad. Therefore he asked to be sent back to Japan. For that account he was sent here to Tashme. Letter, friend in Kaslo to friend in Winnipeg . March 1945. ‘They have formed an anti-Japanese Society (?) and the president is P who used to live across the road from me. The other officers are S, L, Y, L and many others we know by name. It is laughable that such an entity should be taking up this business. They all have this to say, that if the Japanese were to return it would be inconvenient so in this wartime they wish to make it so the Japanese will not come back to the coast. They are a poor lot. I have lived there for over thirty years and planned to have my children be Canadians. But now for the first time, I understand the democracy of this Christian country. It will be hard for them in this country to (?) as they should. Letter, June 1945. Between friends written from Hamilton , Ontario. The Niseis are not very happy about the present situation as far as work is concerned. Since VE-Day some of the factories are shutting down. Some have already shut down. Everybody thinks that there is going to be a lot of people unemployed in the near future. But I don;t think my job will go. I heard that the (westening?) company doesn’t hire any Orientals. So I suppose I’ll stay here for a while yet. If you are ever going out east, you better get (keep?) a guarantee there’s going to be a steady job. Letter, son to parents. From Toronto to Fort Williams . July 1945. Jobs and (?) wages are generally good in Toronto. It ranges widely. I just can’t understand but quite a number of single men are coming into the city illegally or legally. I don’t know. Housing situations are such that many families in the ghost towns are stalled out there waiting for a replacement. Personally, I think there is no use in negotiating with Mr. Truman with your coming out here. If you are going to do it, do it. Selective Services is going to transfer you and RCMP permits are all you need. Friend to friend from Lemon Creek to Ontario. June 1945. I have no hope for going east because they made things so difficult that I had to sign for repatriation. They publicized that this voluntary repatriation but they put force on which form to sign. There are plenty of people who are families who signed for repatriation but do not want to go back. Circumstances made it so difficult. For that they had to sign. First, before anyone signed, the Mounties said we could always cancel it. Now they say you can’t in The New Canadian . And if I didn’t sign, I would have had to leave BC by the end of this month. There is no reason why some cannot stay in BC (?) could repatriate. I have to stay until mother gets well. So I had to sign in order to stay in BC and work while-