Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-09-18
COMING IN swARMs.
Total Immigration for Six Months
 Nearly Reached Million Mark.

Washington, D C., Sept 1S.-Im- migration to the United States from foreign countries is increasing at a startling rate. Where 1t will cease is a problem which is confronting the officials of the country. Already the facilities for the handling of im- migrants at the various large ports Of the country are taxed to the ut most and, within few months, 1t has become necessary to enlarge these facilities in order that abso- lute hardship shall not be worked on the incoming aliens. Plans have been prepared for large additions 70 the accommodations of the great immi- grafton station on Ellis Island, Now York Bay. These additions cannot be made without authority from ctIl- gress, but. 1t is expected that, at the next session, congress will authorize the expenditure of, approximately, $20O,000 in increasing the facilities at the Ellis Island station.
 The banner year for immigration to this country was that of 1904, when considerablely more than one million aliens were landed. The in- dications now are, however, that the immigration of that year will pale before the incoming hordes of immi- grants this year. During the month of August, the immigration from all countries to America shows an in- crease of SC per cent. over the im- migration of August. 1904. In 1904, the number of immigrants landed in America during the month of August was 59,927; this year, in August, 81,- 592 were landed. The greatest per centage of increase from any country was from Russia. In August, 1904, 14,514 Russians were admitted to the United States; and in August, this year, 21.090 Russians were admitted. This shows an increase of 45 per cent. from that country alone.
 The great increase in the immi- grafton from Russia is due, the im- migration officials say, to the perse- cution of the Jews in that country. Tn fear of their lives, the Jews of Rus sia are coming to the United States in thousands. Many of them are not people who are likely to become de- sirable citizens of America, but they give little thought to the future. They simply are anxious to escape the reign of terror which prevails in Russia. The result of this promic- cuous immigration is that many of the aliens, on their arrival here, are debarred from admission on account of disease. The total number de- barred during the month of August. this year, was 1851, which IS an in- crease of 109 per cent. over the num- Der debarred during the correspond ing month of 1904.
 | In the six months ending Septem- Der 1. the total immigration from all countries was 720,464, against 464,- 122 in the corresponding period of 1904, or an increase of 55 per cent. In the last six months, too. the i'm migration from Russia shows a tre- mendous increase. The aggregate number of Russians landed here in the six months was 159,s06, against 90,- 344 for the corresponding period of 1904, an increase of 76 per cent.
 In the opinion of these officials who have studied the problem of i'm migration. something drastic will have to be done to stay the flood which is sweeping to America. If Il consisted of desirable material for American citizenship, the. problem would not be difficult of solution; but 1t is not. as rule, and 1t becomes evident, therefore, that further re- strictions must be placed on immi- grafton if this country Is not to suf- fer serious consequences from the present situation.