Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-02
A LIMIT DESIRABLE
To Number Of. Immigrants
Received Annually.
THOSE FROM THE EAST
GATHER AT MARSEILLE FOR DIS
TRIBUTION.
Consul General Skinner Gives the Re
suits of His Observation of People
From the Levant.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star
MARSEILLE. March q, 1904.
1.-THE United States should establish q
high standard for the admittance of i'm
migrants to the country, and then limit
the total number to be received each year.
At least this seems to me to be a neceS-
sity of the near future" This is the opin-
ion of Robert P. Skinner, United States
consul general at Marseille, as expressed
to your correspondent. Mr.. Skinner has
been several years in a position which has
afforded him excellent opportunities for
observation in emigration matters To
Marseille come thousands of people on their
way from the Levant to the western hemi-
sphere. They are not credited to this port
but this is their gathering point fer dis
trihution to Havre, Boulogne and other
places from which there are direct lines of
steamers to the United States. In the
course of a year about $1,000 Syrians, Ar
menians and Greeks pass through Mar
seille en- route. Seven or eight thousand
of these eventually reach the United
States. The others are excluded by rea-
son of disease and go to south instead of
to North America.
This immigration ISSUE said Mr.. Skin
ner, 1S not one upon which American citi-
zens, by birth or naturalization, will di-
vide; but one upon which citizens in both
categories will align themselves as they
IL,
minded and physically efficient citizenship
The character of the immigration which
comes under my observation has deterior-
ated and the movement today is from
among a very low caste population. 1t is
absurd to pretend that they can be assmi-
lated into the population of the United
States without distinctly lowering our ma
tiOnal standard.
I'VE certainly have every moral right as
we undoubtedly have the legal right to de-
termine whether We shall admit 100000 or
l,OOOOo0 foreigners in any one year, and
ordinary business sense indicates that
there are years when the arrival of large
number of foreign workngmen must nee
essarily have bad effect upon conditions
in America
Additional Regulations Needed.
When asked if the present immigration
law, if strictly enforced, would achieve the
desired result Mr.. Skinner said: 1.-THE
strict enforcement of the recently enacted
law has made itself manifest in every En-
ropean port of departure, and particularly
in Marseilie, where very large proportion
OF the immigrants from the Levant arrive
with a disease of the eyes resulting in their
exclusion. l have an idea, however that
additional regulations, possible even under
the present law, might bring about further
reform. The law as it stands describes the
non-admissible class and declares that they
shall not be admitted unless it is afTirma-
lively and satisfactorily shown that such
person does not belong to one of the FORE
going excluded classes Section SO of the
law of March 3, 1903 relating particularly
tC the exclusion of anarchists, also provides
that this section shall be enforced by the
Secretary of the Treasury under such rules
and regulations as he shall provide The
power thus extended to the Secretary of the
Treasury has since been transferred to the
Secretary of Commerce and Labor.
ITO affirmatively and satisfactorily prove
that foreigners do not belong to one of
the excluded categories is exceedingly diff
ficult when they arrive in the United
States, 5000 miles distant from the place
where witnesses to the facts alleged can
be procured. The proof required under the
present law could be much more rapidly
procured at the port or place of departure,
and in the generality of cases by the pro-
duction of the papers provided for by Euro
pean governments certifying to the civil
status of the individual. These papers are
issued by competent legal authority and
the American consul of the district wherein
the applicant for admittance resides should
be in a position to certify to the sufficiency
of such papers.
'In this way we would have a double
guarantee through the original papers and
the certification of the American consul
By celebrating this system it would be
perfectly practical to obtain documen airy
evidence of the moral character as we'll as
of the physical and civil condition of the
prospective American citizen The produc-
ton of such proofs could be made condi-
ton without which admittance could not
be effected, and without in any manner eff
fecting present methods of inspection and
examination.
A Humanitarian Side.
There is a humanitarian side to this sug-
gestion as well, for while protecting the
people of the United States against unde-
sirable additions to the population, an ad-
ministrative measure of this character
would prevent a large amount of human
suffering now constantly witnessed Emil
grants sell their all in some remote re-
America. They find themselves in some
where they are refused transportation on
expended their money and, being unable to
objects of charity. If the first official
lection could take place at their own
homes by consular authority they would
be relieved of much anxiety of mind and
frequently saved from serious financial dis
aSter."
1t takes but casual observa ton in the
city of Marseille to confirm Mr.. SINNERS
statements as to the character of the emf
grafton which passes through here en- route
to the United States. There is apparently
great Indifference on the part of all Euro
pean countries as to the character of the
imm5 grafton laws enacted by the United
States and also an almost equal indiffer-
ence to the fact that thousands of people
are leaving these various countries to find
homes elsewhere. 1t Is probable, however.
that Europe would prefer to keep her La
y,crf,ttr cla secs hnraa Y,Ilrelv ocnnoy,,fc