Evening star., 1903-07-27
Record Breaking Immigration

The immigration figures for the past fiscal
year present matter for the most serious
thought on the part of all citizens, whether
native or foreign born. Never before In
history has there been such movement
of human beings from one part of the world
to another. Never before has such a So
Geological phenomenon been presented as
this of close upon million persons shift
ing ground across thousands of miles in a
single year. We are accustomed in these
days to contemplate enormous totals. We
reckon personal fortunes in the tens and
hundreds Of millions. We count travel dis
tances in the thousands of leagues. Every
thing is on q big scale. But notwithstand-
ing these facts the annual immigration
total Is startling; and vast as this country
is and ample as are the opportunities it af-
fords for home seekers and rich though its
resources are the volume Of the tide of new
comers and especially Its character must
give rise to serious reflections by every
sober minded American. .-.--.
During the year the incomers numbered
s37 .O48. an increase over the previous year
of 30S, ,573, or 81 per cent. This showing
broke all records The newly enacted i'm
migration law. imposing q few additional
restrictions upon the immigrants. took ef-
feet June 8, and 1t is known that a certain
part of the tremendous influx was due to
the haste Of the transportation companies
to get their passengers into the country
before the application of the new tests.
But there Is in this fact no guarantee that
the present fiscal year will not yield at
least as large an inflow of foreigners If not
greater
The chief concern of those who are most
intimately posted with regard to the i'm
migration relates to the character Of the
new comers. A few years ago, especially
in the sos. the great bulk of them came
from Great Britain and Ireland and Ger
many. They were the most desirable ad-
ditiOns to the body polite. They were
home seekers. tending toward agriculture
and substantial trade. While large num-
Der were poor, barely able to get over, yet
they were the kind to better their condition
and doubtless the vast majority Of those
who came from that part Of Europe be-
tween 1880 and 1890 are today prosperous,
Few of them came with any intention OF
returning
Last year. however, the greater part of
the immigrants came from Italy Austria
Hungary and Russia, those three countries
yielding 672. 726 Of the whole. or more than
three-fourths. From Italy including Sicily
and Sardinia. came 23O622, an increase
over the previous year Of 52,A7. Here lies
tho chief menace. These south Europeans
have an imperfect sense OF the advantage
Of becoming permanently Americanized.
Most Of the Italians intend to return home
as soon as they have scraped together q
little competence. It may be assumed that
one-ifth at the least Of last years immi-
grants landed on these shores with that
purpose more or less firmly fixed. These
people do not make desirable citizens,
Those OF them who are not brought over or
induced to come to work on large enter
prises as common laborers huddle In the
cities, adding seriously to the already
dangerous problems which there confront
| the municipal rulers and the social REFORM
| ers. They are not lured by the broad fields
Of the west. The Russians perhaps have
no thought of returning eastward, but they,
too, are inclined to settle in the cities.
The new law may work some influence
upon the threatening tide. The hope Of the