New-York tribune., 1912-01-22
PASSENGERS LINED UP
immigration Officials Invade
Saloon of Carmania in Bay.
FIRST TIME IN TEN YEARS
Action Caused by Alleged Efforts
of Rejected Aliens to Enter
Country by First Cabin.

Shortly after the Cunard liner Carmania
| dock several immigration inspectors sent
word to Mr.. Clarke. the purser, saying
they would like to have all the first ca bin
passengers assemble in the dining saloon
for inspection. 1t was just after dinner.
and many Of the saloon passengers we're
on deck. The announcement came like a
bombshell to the travellers. who thought
they would not he bothered by United
States officials until their baggage was
ready for examination on the pier
The ships officers were unable 10 ac-
count for the demand OF the immigra tion
officials. but soon as the order was sent
10 them they assembled the ninety-fve
saloon passengers promptly The travel
lers were told to sit in line along the
saloon tables and await the call of their
names. which tho inspectors read from
the ships manifest.
When a name was called tho passenger
walked 10 where an inspector sat and
answered as many questions as the official
chose 10 ask He was privileged TO ask
twenty mine, but the number asked last
night was restricted to about four or five.
As the travellers replied the inspectors
followed the manifest closely TO see II the
answers coincided with the remarks on the
manifest. If the passenger answered the
first three or four questions accurately he
was permitted TO leave the saloon.
Only one question was asked Of American
citizens namely: Are you a citizen Of
the United States" When they said yes
they were allowed to 90. This is the first
time in about ten years that this formality
has been enforced on incoming steamships.
Aliens inexperienced in travel accepted
the inspection as part Of the routine enter
ing port, but others, familiar with the Law,
expressed surprise that they should be sub
iectcd 10 the examination demanded OF
aliens in the second cabin and steerage.
Several Englshmen resented the detention.
and I'm reply 10 the question How long do
YOU intend to remain in this country" re-
pled II shall get out just soon 40
can"
After giving their names, tho general
questions were put 10 the aliens: Have
YOU ever been here before?" Where were
YOU born?" What Is your nationality and
Inc ndtONdllN OF your NIt' iioN lollH
do you intend 10 be in this country and
when do you expect TO leave it?"
The majority OF the Carmania.s saloon
passengers accepted the situation good
naturedIy, but a few aliens complained.
why. this country is getting on par with
Russia" protested one Englishman, Ono
would think VIC had escaped the vigilance
% Scotland Yard" remarked another
America IL becoming quite Continental"
ventured q third
II Was said unofFicially last night that
the occasion for the inspection WAS due 70
tho efforts OF rejected and deported aliens
to enter the country by coming here IN tho
first cabin. According 10 an official Of tho
Cuuard Line. the examination OF saloon
passenccrs by immigration inspectors will
defeat the efforts OF the customs officials
70 obyiatc a tedious delay of passengers I'm
the dining saloon when on the way up the
harbor from Quarantine The Collector
abolished a few years ago the custom OF
examining declaration blanks in the pres
ence Of passengers. These are now made
out at sea and turned over 20 the purser a
dsy before arrival ana passengers arc not
reouired 10 bother with them until the YES
sci docks.
The officers Of the Carmania who wore
called upon TO assemble the passengers In
,be dining saloon declared last night that
they had no objection 10 the order. but felt
they should have had some warning that
the inspection was to be held.