The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-10-23
TUESDAY OCTOBER 90. 1900.
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Changes Ia ImmIgratIOn-ships For
our Asiatie SqundrOn-RoOt
and COrbin.
rsnecinl Corresnondencel

Thomas Fitchie. commissioner OF i'm
migration at New York, has submitted
his annual report of the work done at
the New York station for the fiscal
wear ended June 30. That year marks
the close of the first ten years Of fed
eral control of immigration.
The total number of aliens arriving
nj the port Of New York for the year
was 400. S42. In addition TO these there
were Q9TGO American citizens who
came within the scope OF the inspection
process by reason of the fact that they
shipped in a manner to secure tickets
at immigration rates and to save the
usual expenses. Nearly one-fOurth Of
this number shipped as steerage pas
sengers.
Mr. Fitchie submits some tables
showing the illiteracy Of the races OF
people that arrived. The Portuguese
and Italians rank about In the same
order in illiteracy. The figures show
that the greater the illiteracy the
smaller the amount of money per cap
ita brought in In every instance the
race or people having less illiteracy
bring more money. The English,
French and German people brought
close TO the same amount Of money
per capita this year. For instance
south Italian would reach this country
with an average of less than 80 IN his
pocket. while an Englishman. French
man or a German would have about
$50.
Commissioner Fitchle says that the
steadily increasing tendency of imml-
grafton from south European and ORR
entail countries has become more mark
ed than ever during the past year. He
saws. Notwithstanding the fact that
the immigration for this year shows an
increase Of nearly 100000 over that OF
the previous year our old source Of
immigration-namely, the Scandina-
Wan countries. the German empire and
the United Kingdom-altogether con-
tributed but 9.722 immigrants toward
this increase. while Great Britain itself
actually sent us a smaller number OF
immigrants than ever before.
For Our Asiatic Squadron.
OF the six warships which were or
dered to proceed 10 the orient TO re-en'
force the Asiatic squadron the Albany
and the Wilmington already have start
cd on their long journey. 1t was eX'
pected that the big battleShip Ken
I lucky would not be delayed beyond
few days in her preparations. but aft
or going to drydock ut the New York
ward 1t was decided 10 make some
changes which will probably delay her
departure for two weeks. The princi-
nal alterations will be made in connec'
ton with her turret guns. Captain
Chester. who commands the Kentucky,
found that after firing the turret guns
ran out too quickly and made too great
a shock on the gun carriages. The ord
nance bureau therefore, decided 10 put
in counter recoi checks TO remedy this
defect.
The converted yacht Dorothea. fitting
out at the League Island yard, is ex-
pected to be able to sail soon. Captain
Helm. wh0 is to command her, was In
command Of the Hornet during the
Spanish war and is considered one Of
the ablest of the younger line officers.
The gunboat Vicksburg is fitting out
at the Norfolk yard, and the gunboat
Annapolis is at the Boston yard. The
preparations aboard the latter will re-
quire several weeks, as she was fitted
out after the Spanish war for use as a
training ship.