Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-22
EUR0PE'S LAND SHARKS.
A REPORT ON THE ANTI-ALIEN
BILL PREPARED.

Fl 100000 Acres in the United States
owned by NabObs of the old World
The Life of the Republic Menaced by
the Power They are Acquiring.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2l.-Representative
Oates, OF the Committee on Public Lands,
has prepared a report on the bill to pro-
hibit aliens and foreigners from acquiring
or owning lands within the United States,
which the committee has reported to the
House with recommendation that It shall
pass. Mr.. Oates SAYS: "YOur committee
have ascertained, with reasonable certain
ty, that certain nODlemen of Europe, prin-
cipally Englishmen, nave acquired and
now own in the aggregate about
21,000,0O0 acres of land within the United
States. We have not sufficient informa-
tion to state the quantity owned by un-
titled aliens, nor is it so important as it
is generally held in smaller
bodies. This alien nonresident owner
ship will, in the course of time.
lead to landlOrdism incompatible
with the best interests and free institu-
tiOns OF the United States. The fOunda-
ton for such a system is being laid broad
lY in the Western States and Territories.
considerable number of immigrants an
nually arriving in this country are to be-
come tenants and herdsmen on the vast
possessions of these foreign lords under
contracts made and entered IN
TO before they sail for our
shores. The aYarice and enterprise
OF European capitalists have caused them
TO invest many millions in American
railroad and land bonds, covering, per-
haps, lOO,OOO,OO0 acres, the greater part
of which, under foreclosure sales, will
most likely before many years become the
property of these foreign bOndhOlders, in
addition to their present princely possess
siOns.
MORE DANGER AHEAD.
''lt is thus manifest that if the present
large ownership is an evil, of which we
have no doubt, the probabilities of the
near future still more imperatively de-
mand legislation for its prevention. This
aggressive foreign capital is not confined
TO lands 1t has purchased, but, over
leaping its boundaries, has caused hun
dreds OF miles of public domain to be
fenced up for the grazing of vast herds of
cattle and set at defiance the rights of
honest, but humble settlers. The policy
Of the government heretofore toward
aliens has been characterized by great
nberaIty, and the different States of the
Union, each acting for itself, have gone
still further upon the idea of the de-
STABILITY of a rapid increase of pOpula-
tiOn and wealth, and by their legislation
have conferred upon aliens rights far be-
yOnd those they enjoyed by treaty stipuIa-
.lons, common law or the law Of nations:
''The bill herewith reported proposes as
part of the foreign policy of
this country to operate only
prOspectiVely, and, therefore, not harshly
TO prevent absolutely citizens or subjects
OF other nations, so long as they adhere to
and retain their allegiance to other pow
ers, from acquiring ownership OF Ameri-
can soil within the jurisdiction OF the
United States. We maintain that Amer
Ican soil should be owned exclusively by
American citizens. Perhaps objection
may be made to the bill on the ground
that its tendency viii be TO drive foreign
capital from the country. II it were, we
are not quite sure that any permanent
harm would result therefrOm TO anyone
on this continent. The mortgages and
land bonds held by aliens would not be
materially impaired by the law proposed.
They are deeds OF trust and can
be fOrecl0sed and the lands sold
IN default OF payment by an alien holder
as well as by citizens. Neither can ac-
cording to law levy, his own sale, because
Of conflict of interest with duty unless
1t Is so stipulated in the contract, and this
being known can have no other effect
upon future foreign investors in this class
Of securities than to make them little
more careful and not to rely upon the pros
pect of the ultimate ownership of lands
mOrtgaged.