The Thibodaux sentinel. (Thibodaux, La.) 1905-1912, 1909-07-03
EUROPE FAV0RS TRAFFIC
Glad to Dump Immoral Fe-
males ON U. S.
SECRETARY KNOX TO take A HAND
VIII Hold Countries to Agreement
on Subject. Believe Treaty Is
Openly and Flagrantly
RrOken
New York.-A special from Wash

ington says:
Secretary Knox is repairing to
make diplomatic representations to
certain European governments, pro-
testing against the violations Of the
| International treaty for the suppress
sion of the white slave traffic. The
state Department has information
that some of the European govern
ments are not only making no effort
to break up this Infamous traffic, but,
on the contrary are tacitly encourag-
ing the shipment of women for i'm
moral purposes to the United States.
The State Departments action will
be based upon statements that have
been received from Secretary Nagel,
covering reports from the Bureau of
immigration. Marcus Brown of New
York city is now travelling in Europe
as a special immigration agent in
vestigating the white slave traffic. Mr..
Braun reports to the department that
the treaty binding the nations of
Europe to cooperate with the Uni
ted States government in breaking
up this business is being ignored.
The department has information
stronger than this. It is to the effect
that the officials of certain European
countries are actually winking at the
operations of the miserable creatures
engaged in traffcking in white slaves.
There is no hint at graft or official
corruption in this connection. It is
stated that the governments of Eur
epe are anxious to be rid of this i'm
moral element and are not disposed
to interfere with plans that will
take the women to other lands.
The treaty, whose violation Secre-
tary Knox is to complain of. was
the outcome of congress called at
Berlin in 1902. Delegates from sew
enteen countries participated, and an
was made for the sup
preston of the white slave traffic.
A treaty on the subject binding the
United States to the terms of the
agreement was adopted by our senate
in 1905. In June of last year the
President issued proclamation set
ting forth the terms of the agree
ment. The other signatory powers
are Germany, Belgium, Denmark.
Spain, France, Great Britain, Italy,
the Netherlands, Portugal Sweden.
Russia, Norway. Swiss Federal Coun-
Gil, Austria-Hungary and Brazil.
TTndoy. fha 1f frootu
each Of the governments bound by it
agrees to exercise supervision for
The purpose of finding out, "parti-
ciularly, the stations and ports of
the conductors Of wo-
men and girls intended for debauch-
sry.''
While the Washington authorities
lecline to state what nations are dis
this treaty, it is believed
hat France and Belgium are the
.hief offenders. The great majority
If white slaves sent to America are
'ecuited from those countries. Paris
larbors horrible lot of men who
re engaged in the business of round
ng UP unfortunates.
The United States immigration au-
horities turn back a large number
# these women every month. Dur
ng May, for instance, thfrty-one
emales were rejected at the various
orts of entry on the charge that they
we're brought here for immoral pur-
oses. They have been coming, how
yer, in such large. numbers that the
officials believe that the
usiness Of bringing them over is in
ONE instances at least encouraging
y the European governments.