The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-01-25

ANOTHER IMMIGRATION ABUSE.
Special Immigrant Inspector Marcus
Braun has discovered In Europe and
Asia a gigantic system. into which Gov
ernments. steamship companies. bank
ers, and all manner OF others are COM
bined against this country. The first
feature Of 1t is that every effort shall
be made to keep the immigrants at
tached to their native countries and
prevent their becoming American citi-
zens and making their homes here.
The result Is that some $50,00O,0 900
country to Austro- Hungary alone, with
an additional similar amount to Italy.
The Hungarian Government, particu-
larly, watches over its citizens in this
country. and aids in maintaining
schools, churches and newspapers to
keep alive the Hungarian spirit, and
draw the people back to Hungary after
they have gotten all they can out of
this country. Mr.. Braun supports this
statement by copious extracts from
Hungarian official documents, news
papers and the utterances of high Off
Gals
The Italian Government keeps its
hold upon it's people by the pretext that
1t Is necessary to have them Welt in
hand in order to protect their lives
and property in "barbaric America"
There are two sides to this. Many
people strongly question the desira bill
ty OF Hungarian Slavs and Italian
Sicilians as permanent additions to the
population. EthnoIogists have pro-
nounced them the degenerate and
beaten breeds Of southern and south
eastern Europe" whose blood is per-
manently contaminated, and thus far
from being a desirable strain to mingle
with the higher and stronger blood we
have received from Germanic and
Kettle countries. The peoples of north
western Europe have always been
much superior to those of the eastern
and southern sections of the continent
In physique and character, and there
has been reason to fear the degenera-
ton of the American type, physically,
morally and mentally. by "dilution
beaten breeds If this be true, then
Whatever encourages their return to
their former homes after they have CIV
en- their labor to this is to be recon-
mended. We can well spare the money
they take with them. as we have prob
ably managed to get the full value out
OF them.
With the Syrians, Armenians and
other immigrants from Turkish domin-
ions Mr.. Braun sees another danger.
They are lower in character than the
Slavs and Sicilians. They stay here
long enough to acquire citizenship, and
then return to their countries armed
with protection that enables them to
follow nefarious practices with more
immunity from trouble from the Turk
ish police. He found 1000 American
Citizens in Jerusalem alone, and the
Governor Of Lebanon said to him:
IF this constant travel from Syria
to and from the United States does not
cease soon the United States had bet
ter annex the province of Lebanon as
at present there are more American
citizens there than Turkish subjects"
Mr.. Braun found that 80 per cent OF
these american citizens" could not
speak English. He makes a number
OF recommendations, among which are:
THAT naturalization laws be amend
ed so that persons desiring to become
citizens snail prove continued residence
for longer period than at present
THAT citizenship lapse where per-
sons reside abroad for a certain period
Of time, except bona fide residents
abroad
THAT naturalized citizens convicted
OF felony in foreign country, which
would be felony in the State in which
he resides, shall forfeit American citi-
zenship.
THAT the alien contract labor law be
amended 80 that priests, clergymen,
ministers, and lecturers be eliminated
from the exempt class, unless they are
bona fide visitors.
THAT heavy head tax be imposed
upon persons returning to the United
States after having resided here tenn
porarily.
That the force of inspectors on the
Mexican border be increased and
mounted"