The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-11-13
IMMIGRATION AFTER THE WAR

The immigration stations at the various AT
antic ports of the United States are nearing the
end of long vacation. Since the commencement
of the war in Europe the tide of immigration
lessened until it reached point where as many
foreigners were going out as were coming into
the country. During the past year the immigra
lion from some of the European countries has
approached the vanishing point. Before the wal
considerably more than million immigrants ar
rived in the United States every year.
The war stopped immigration automatically
and almost entirely. With the coming of peace
immigration is expected to be Immediately re-
sumed The problem now in the minds of the
United States Commissioner of immigration and
his subordinates relates to the probable extent
of this resumption and to prepare plans to meet
it. Whether the volume of immigration will be
larger smaller than in the years Immediately
preceding the is a question that only the
future can answer.
In the opinion of the United States Commits
sion future immigration will depend on variety
of influences. The Central Powers and Russia
may forbid immigration entirely, as they will
need all their able-bodied men at home. A pretty
heavy immigration from Great Britain, especially
to Canada, is predicted. France is not likely to
send over many emigrants, as indeed she never
has done since early colonial days. The French
fortune building race to migrate in considerable
numbers.
Despite the spoilation of Belgium only few
hundred Belgians have come to America since
the beginning of the war. Those driven from
their homes have found temporary refuge in
France, England and Holland and it is reasonable
to suppose that they will return to their homes
now that the land is wrested from the Huns. The
Belgians, like the French, have never migrated
in large number.
For variety Of reasons, the volume of Ger
man immigration is not expected to be large
during the next few years. AS matter of fact
comparatively few Germans have been coming to
America in recent years. Before the war the
average only about $4,000 year. The bulk
of the German population in the United States
came here before 1870. During the past genera
ton and longer the Germans have been staying
at home. After the war it is expected Germany
will take measures to induce all her people to
stay at home to aid in recapturing industry and
trade
AS soon peace is declared it is expected that
Italian immigration Will be resumed in about the
same volume as before the war. Italy does not
discourage immigration to the United States. A
large percentage of the Italians who come to
America return to their native land with their
savings and thus collectively increase the wealth
of Italy very materially. The Italian govern
ment recognized this long ago and worked out
the most intelligent and humane emigation policy
of any nation in Europe
The heaviest immigration is expected to come
from Poland, Hungary and the eastern part of
Europe. These countries have suffered terribly |
from the war and are not likely to recover from
its effects for many years to come. Cities and |
towns have been laid in ruins the land devastated
and families broken up, there will be little |
left to induce the inhabitants to return. The |
same is true of the Balkan countries-Serbia
Bulgaria and Roumania. From each of these it |
is predicted that the post-bellum immigration
will reach higher figures than the immigration
before the war.
The first year of peace is expected to see
greater immigration into the United States than
ever was known before After that the tide may
De expected to subsde. growing less and less each
year, until it finally equalizes again. !.