IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14723, 21 July 1913, Page 7

IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION.

SENTIMENT IN AMERICA. KEEPING OCT~"eUROPEANS. NEW DEVICE"ADVANCED. (FROM OrR OWN COP.RESrON-DEhT.) SAN FRANCIvSCO, Juno 24. With practically a million immigrants streaming* into the United States every year, many of them illiterates from the southern and southwestern countries of Europe, sentiment in America is rapidly crystallising in the direction of imposing additional restrictions upon tho inflow of humanity, Thero havo been in recent years numerous investigations of the problem by Commissions and Government agents working in Europe and amongst tho colonies of foreigners in this country. Labour organisations havo been particularly forceful in urging the erection ot a bar against tiie free ingress of tho alien labourer who pauperises tho American workmen. The great bull: of the immigration this country is now receiving coasists of males from Southern Italy, Lithuanians, Magyars, Polish, Portuguese, Rumanians, Russians, Servians, Slovaks, Slavonians, Syrians and Turks. Amongst the plans which havo been put forth for impeding tho inflow of aliens was a literacy test. Indeed, such a provision was adopted last year by Congress, but vetoed by President Taft on tho ground that ability to read and write furnished no certain criterion as to fitness for citizenship. The latest device advanced for damming back the stream of Europeans is contained in what is known as tho '•'Ten-pev-cont." Immigration' Bill introduced in Congress by Senator Dillingham, who was also tho author of tho Bill for a literacy test. This measure provides that the number of aliens of any nationality, exclusive of temporary visitors, who may bo admitted into tho country during a year must not exceed ten per cent, of the number of persons of that nationality "resident in tho United States at tho time of tho United States census next preceding"; wJu'lo tho minimum number of any nationality admi.ssablo in any fiscal year shall not bo less than 5000. But so that America may not lose ite reputation as a refugo for tho oppressed and politically down-trodden, there is a saving clause, which empowers tho •Secretary of Labour to admit aliens in excess of tho maximum number when "in his opinion such action is justifiable as a measure of humanity." Tho Bill provides that when the maximum number of any nationality has been admitted, all other aliens, who apply for admission during that fiscal year, shall bo excluded. However, "aliens returning from a temporary visit abroad, and aliens coming to join near relatives, as well as members of professional and business classes," maybe admitted regardless of the maximum number.

Based on the immigration experiences of tho last ten years, it is computed that if tho Dillinjjham Bill becomes a law it would reduce the immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe by about 130.000 annually, and the number of aliens coming from Northern and Western Europe might be increased two-tlurds. Tho plan has mot with a mixed reception. One paper eees in it an effective solution of the problem, and says with regard to the immigrants now being received by this country: —"They aro unlike the old immigration, which came in family groups looking for a homo and a chance to educate tbeir children and advance their general conditions. Everywhere this cheap labour has been coming in and crowding out the American workman." On the other hand, a Philadelphia newspaper opposes the scheme as contradictory of "the historic policy and principle of tho nation," adding: "The ninth man might be the very ono who ought to be kept out, and the eloventli the very one who ought to be welcomed. ,. That Congress will adopt either this or some other means of diminishing tho flow of aliens into America is undoubted.