The Washington herald., 1908-06-27

Foreigners are refusing to come TO the |
United States. despite the greatly re-
duced rates on steamship lines. They are
preferring TO take the chances of max
ing a living for their families In their
native lands, rather than cross the
ocean.
Legislation to restrict immigration, as
clamored for by Americans throughout the
country, will be unnecessary, if the pres
ent rate of decrease of immigration 70
the States continues.
The greatest decrease in immigration
to the United States in FIVE years is
shown for the fiscal year 1905, by the
report of the immigration Bureau for
the month of May, 1905. a decrease Of
/ 76 per cent, compared with 1906. ana a
decrease of 80 per cent. compared with
1907.
From July J. 1907, 20 May 81, 1908, eleven
months, there We're BO,S23 immigrants
admitted. while the twelve months pre-
vious there We're 5,349 admitted, which
means that for thirty days. or from June
to July /, 5S4.526 immigrants will have
to be admitted to bring the total up 10
that Of the last fiscal year.
Total from All Countries.
The total immigration from all coun-
tries for the six months ended May 81,
1906 was 6l65OS The same period for
1907 was 674.6S4 and for the period just
ended was but 227, ,2sS; a decrease of 63
per cent compared with 1906, and &C per
cent compared with the same period OF
1907.
The greatest falling of is among the
Russians. In May. 1906, there were SSH;
in May. 1907. there were $500 and in
May. 1908, there were but $3.50; a de-
crease Of 81 per cent compared with 1906.
and SO per cent compared with 1907. For
the six months ended May 81. 1908. there
was a decrease OF 81 per cent compared
with 1907, and the same for 1906.
Italy. during the eight months ended
February 90 1908. slowed a decrease OF
1851. For the first eight months Of the
fiscal year ended February S. 1907, there
were 1873 immigrants, against 5,SS2 for
the same period in 1905. Austria show
ed decrease Of 1884 over 1907. Hungary
showed a decrease OF 25.l00 over that OF
last year.
Five Countries Show Increase.
There are but five countries that show
an Increase for 1908 over 1897. This is
based on period OF eight months. ended
February o. The greatest increase is
from British North America. This coun-
try shows an increase Of l,270 Mexico
comes next with an increase Of 90; China
next with an increase Of 49. The Pacific
Islands and British Honduras are next
with 13 and 3. respectively.
| Japan shows q decrease OF 1,375. This is
due to the recent exclusion act passed by
| the Sixtleth Congress and which the Jap
anese government. II is said, anticipated
| and cut down her immigration for diplo-
matte reasons.
/ New York City leads the ports OF en-
| try for the greatest number Of immi-
/ grants admitted. as well as for the great
j est number debarred. For the last eight
h months there have been 259S3 admitted
and 19O debarred. Boston comes mex
with 2,6SG admitted, but the Mexican Dor
der shows more immigrants debarreC
than does the Massachusetts port OF en-
III try.
The population OF the United States wa
increased by immigration during the eigh
months Just ended. 252,73l OF this mum
ber many naturalized citizens who hav
III been out OF the country on either pleas
III ure or business must be deducted, bu
what this number IS could not be ascer
u tained.
III Commissioner SarRent's Opinion.
II When the Commissioner OF Immigra
/ ton, Frank P. Sargent, was questione'
| as TO the reason Of the great sluml
Il in immigration, he said there were man,
III reasons.
/ The reports OF business depression &
| this country is the principal reason" h
| added.
/ mo. I do not think the 81 a head an
the $50 required of every immigrant ha
anything to do with keeping them out,
he answered, IN reply to whether the re
y quirements OF the immigration law
: were what kept the immigration down.
1T seems TO be that the aliens ar
afraid for some reason or other. Tn
steamship lines are cutting rates in IN
ls hope Of stimulating immigration, but
does not seem 70 have vecy great re
suits"