"I
didn't make a mistake in applying for a transfer, though for quite awhile it seemed
certain I had. I'm now thick in the
midst of military government for this district of Jiniya in Okinawa, occupying
the post of military head of the departments of Welfare and Labor. As I just arrived I'm still in a bit of a fog
as to what I do. In general, the
function of MG seems to supervise and prod the natives on a little....
"Contrary
to opinion prevelant [sic], Okinawans, with the exception of a few ancients,
speak good Japanese. I wish I did. The
second day I was here the officer-in-chg. of the dist (only one MG co for the
whole island) used me as an interpretor - with horrifying results. Things like 'How long since the pump broke
down?' and Do you have a lock for the jail' floored me completely. Ah me."
--
Letter from Jim Allen, Okinawa, Japan, to my father, Boulder, Colo. Tuesday, December 11, 1945.
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