Holbrook argus., 1903-10-31
LARGEST INFLUX OF ALIENS
EUROPE SENDS GREAT ARMY OF
 FOREIGNERS TO U. 5.
Commissioner Sargent Recommends Inspection Of Foreign Ports. to Prevent Passage of Diseased Persoas to This Country

P. Sargent of the bureau of immigra' tion. shows a large increase of steer age immigration over that of the pre- ceding year, the aggregate for the hs' cal year of 1903 being 957,046, an ex- cess over that of last year of 2OS,3o3, or 32 per cent The statistics show an increase of in migration from all foreign sources, sugge sting as the chief cause of the influx of aliens into the United States during the year the inducement or fered to settlers here rather than any special causes of discontent in their own countries. Of the total steerage immigration there came from Europe S14,5O7; from Asia, 29,966, and from all other sources, 12,57S. If to these fig ures are added those representing the total arrivals of alien cabin pas sengers, G4, 4,269, the result will snow that the total Immigration of aliens to the United States during the year aggregated 921,S15, or 105,043 more than the greatest number heretofore reported for any one year.
 The greatest number of immigrants, 230,622, came from Italy, an increase of 52,247 over last year, Austria-Hun- gary furnished 206,011, an increase of S4,022; Russia, 136,093, an increase of 2S,746; Germany, 40,0S6, an increase of 11,79S; Sweden, 46,02S, an increase of 15,134; Ireland, 35,310, an increase of 6,172, and England, 26,219, an increase of 12,644. Of the Oriental countries Japan was foremost with 19,96S, an in- crease of 5,69S, while China contrib uted 2,209, an increase of 560 over last year.
 Of the total number of steerage aliens 613,146 were males and 43,900 were females, of whom 102,431 were less than fl years of age. Of these there were 3,341 who could read but could not write, and 1S5,667 who could neither read nor write, leaving a re. mainder both able to read and write of 66S,03S. The total amount of money brought by them into the United States was $16,117,573.
 Exclusive of those denied admission at the land boundaries of the United States S,769 alien immigrants were re jected for various causes, the rejec tions being nearly double those of the preceding year. Of these 5,S12 were paupers, 1,773 were afflicted with dis ease and 1,086 were contract laborers Concerning these figures Commission CT Sargent says:
 "As regards the rejection of diseased aliens, must reterate the statement made in the last annual report that i exhibits, on the part of some of tht transportation lines, such a wanto1 disregard of the laws of the countr! as fully vindicates the wisdom of con gross in authorizing, by the act ap proved March 3, 1903, the imposition of a penalty for bringing diseased aliens to this country in those case in which the existence of the diseas' was perceptible at the time of foreig1 embarkation."
 Commissioner Sargent strongly rec ommends that an examination by com petent medical officials be made o immigrants on behalf of this govern ment at foreign ports. He believes that skilled physicians representing this government should be detailed fo this service.
 The commissioner refers to thu