Scranton Wochenblatt. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1865-1918, 1917-12-13

three years these 100000 have
had little or no communication
with their relations on the other
side. Had communication been
uninterrupted they might have
been content to remain, would
doubtless have followed the ma
tural law and written back such
tidings as would have lured
others here. But, lacking COM
munication, they remain restless
and dissatisfied, and the imagi-
nation always conjures up the
worst. This, combined with the
conditions they face here, is
compelling motive.
Second, the quest for family
property and possessions. Hun
dreds of thousands, perhaps mil
lions, have lost relatives in the
war. Many came to this coun-
try because of unsatisfactory
division of property in the old
countries. Now they will re-
I turn in the hope of getting what
will be to them a more equitable
division. Death and change have
wiped out many an old score,
tightened many a homesick
heart.
Third, there is a general ex-
pectation, among the Russians
especially, and also among the
Poles, Hungarians and residents
of the Balkan States, that land
will be cheap in their countries
after the war. Russia, of course,
has a new deal, and many Rus
slams are eager to get back
quickly and profit by the change.
Others are planning to profit
out of the bankruptcy of feudal
proprietors in Poland and Hun
gary, as we'll as out of the de-
vastation of the country.
Fourth, every country in
Europe is working out an organ
lied plan to foster this very
movement which l am forecast
ing. In every country, from
Ireland to the Black Sea, the
days of absentee landlordism
and of vast uncultivated estates,
no matter who owns them, are
probably over. Every European
government is awake to this con-
dition.
Fifth, many, perhaps a ma
jority, will leave America be-
cause of industrial conditions.
1t has been said that the Texan
hates the Slovak and the North
erner hates the 'greaser'; but to
both it is America who has not
welcomed them.
Sixth, the increasing difficult
ty, and, in many cases, the prac-
tical inability, of the immigrant
to acquire permanent homes.
The country districts and vii
lagos of Central and Southern
Europe have supplied the bulk
of our immigration for the last
decade. These Slavs, Latins
and Teutons are essentially
home-loving. They came here
after having been told that this
was the paradise for the home
lover; that in the United States
every man could easily acquire
home, which, in former gen
Grafton, was true, but not now.
So they are going back where
they think they can get homes"
Granting that all this is
true" l cut in, won't there be
even more millions anxious to
flee to America from the impov-
erished and devastated lands?"
at is not likely" replied Mr..
Howe. "In the first place,
European governments are 60
ing to place restrictions on emf
grafton. Every government will
need every able-bodied human
being at home. Moreover, it is
universally predicted that the
end of this war will see swift
rising tide of legislation along
socialistic lines. That may mean
a distribution of lands.
Already in the height of the
war, in the shock of the desper-
ate conflict, when it would seem
that thought is given to nothing
but militarism, commissions are
working everywhere on this pro-
blem.
Take England, for instance.
A commission has been appoint
ed to investigate ways and
means for providing land for in
valided soldiers, and this is ex-
pected to be the basis for legis-
lation Immediately after the war
to provide land for returned
soldiers.
"What Germany is going to
do can only be guessed at. But