The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1905-05-26
Effect Of the War ON Immigration.

Effect OF the War ON immigration.
The war in the east has lowered the
standard of the Russian emigrants
pnssing through Bremen, according TO
United States Consul Diedrich, station
ed at that port The tide of emigra'
ton rose in the last two months OF
1901 and the first month of 1908 to a
height far exceeding the phenomenal
figures Of 1903. Says Consul Diedrich:
The larger number of rejected cases In
dicates that the character Of II number 81
the emigrants passing through here last
year fell below the usual standard rms
was owing to the war In the far east
Large numbers of Russians deserted 10
avoid military service, many of whom be-
ionged to the lower stratum of society
As they passed through here they were
vaccinated, their general physical condl-
ton carefully examined and many reject
ed Most, however. passed muster ana
were found supplied with sufficient funds
to carry them through. Thousands of 9TH
er Russians of the very lowest type were
rushed over to England through the ports
of Libau, Hamburg. Bremen and Rotter-
dam. For months the newspapers or Lon
don were full of narrowing accounts OF
the overcrowded condition of the lanor
market there, Of the alarming number OF
unemployed people and of the terrible sur
fering among the poor which the relief
societies. both public and private. were NOT
able to alleviate, and ii was claimed that
this great calamity was mainly brought
on by the Russian aliens Hooking 10 inc
great city. 1T is n notorious fact that eV-
erything was done to rid the city of Lon
don of these Russians by assisting them
to America.
Prior to embarkation every one OF
the emlgrants from Bremen to United
States ports is examined by board
of three physicians under consular su-
pervlsion. The reflections are of course
based upon the physical condition OF
the candidates If they are not dis
eased and have the required amount of
funds the consul has no discretion but
TO pass them. Continuing, the consul
says:
Since 1 entered upon my present duties
[ have seen most of the GIL, 492 emigrants
that passed through Bremen. but official
candor compels me to say that some or
these Russian refugees belonged to a
lower type than had ever seen. AS they
are led through the streets of this city to
the dock of the Argo steamship line to be
transported to England 1t is common
remark heard on every hand, How can
England and America receive such peo-
ple?" Yet the Bremen population is hard
ened to such sights, the main streets or
the city being daily thronged by emil
grants of all nationalities on their way to
other countries Should the war continue
this rush of the fugitive Russians to our
country will also continue, and | cannot
help feeling that many of them are very
undesirable
Even the end of the war will not
lessen the rush of people to foreign
shores. Hard times, internal troubles
and repressive measures will stimu-
Kate immigration for years to come.
However, the undesirable Russian
class forms but very small part of
the people inspected at Bremen who
are bound for American ports The
great majority, the consul adds, are of
superior quality as to health and gen
eral appearance, "many of them Of
fine physique and showing abundant
vitality, both men and women"