Figure 1.--President Roosevelt authorized the internment of Japanese Americans, bith citizens and resident lienes, by executive order (February 19, 1942). Congress endorsed the program (March 9). The Army quickly began issing military decress ordering Japanese Americans to internment camps. These Japanese Americans are arriving at the temporary camp set up at Santa Anita. Source: Library of Congress

General John L. DeWitt, commanded the U.S. Army's Western Defense Command. He asked for the authority to relocate enemy aliens from the area around strategic West Coast military and civilian installations. DeWitt had a report prepared to assess the danger. The "Final Report: Japanese Evacuation from the West Coast" did not include any substantiated evidence of sabotage or espionage carried out by Japanese Americans. DeWitt maintained, however, that "there were indications that these [Japanese] are organized and ready for concerted action at a favorable opportunity. The very fact that no sabotage or espionage has taken place to date is disturbing and confirming indication that such action will take place." The Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Naval Intelligence all conducted studies and found no evidence that eviction and internment were necessary. Nonetheless DeWitt's recommendations were accepted by the Army. Chief of Staff George C. Marshall, a thouroghly decent man, and other military commanders as well as the civilian leadership of the War Department reviewed and approved DeWitt's recommendations. The Justice Department (DOJ) had not promoted the relocation of Japanese Anericans. DOJ lawyers thought the mass evacuation of American citizens unconstitutional. Other officiald thought that the Army was not up to the substantial logistical task involved. The DOJ, however, acceed to the Army and suggested some changes to the text of the order drafted by the War Department. The final test was presented to President Roosevelt. I am not sure to what extent President Roosevelt considered the issue. President Roosevelt on February 19, 1942 signed Executive Order 9066 "evacuating" Japanese, most of whom were American citizens, from the West Coast. Eleanor was horrified. The discussion between them apparently was heated. The President had to ask her never to raise the issue again. [Davis, p. 419.] The Order authorized the Army to "designate military areas" from which "any persons may be excluded." The Army established Military Areas #1 and #2 in the Pacific-coast states of Washington, Oregon, and California as well as and southern Arizona. Congress passed Public Law 503 (March 9, 1942). This provided the legal authority to enforce EO 9066 and criminal penalties for its violation. The Army began issuing military decrees (March 28). These set curfews on Japanese Americans and were followed by actual exclusion orders.

Created: 2:11 AM 9/28/2008
Last updated: 2:11 AM 9/28/2008