The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-03-18
THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE PRESS.

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THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE PRESS.
For the first time in the history OF our coun-
try we have begun to ask ourselves seriously, lis
the melting pot theory Of America nothing more
than theory? Is it possible that this country is
not after all the haven Of refuge, the center OF
assimilation, we have always fondly believed It
to be? Do the millions Of immigrants from ac-
tivities of America merely collect in various sec
tions of the country, cling to their old traditions
and modes Of thought and even interfere with
the development Of American ideals and institu-
lions? Is it no more than an Illusion that the
downtrodden races Of Europe seek liberty here
only to abuse or ignore it 7"
Not content with asking ourselves these mo-
mentous questions, some Of us have even ven-
tured to answer them. Every sort Of proposal
has been made, to limit immigration, to prevent
it, to force some system Of Characterization
upon the alien already in this country; extrem-
lists in some instances are clamoring for the sup
preston of foreign speech and foreign books and
papers It is safe to shy that such extremes are
advocated by over-zealous and misinformed en-
thusiasts in the cause f America, and by those
whom certain incidents during the war have
aroused to high Pitch Of indignation. II may
be well to inquire briefly into these matters.
AS to the possible pernicious influence of a
newspaper merely because it happens to be print
ed in foreign tongue. and the average American
cannot read it, it is absurd to consider the mat
ter; it casts undeserved slur on the linguistic
accomplishments Of our secret service In all
seriousness, the danger from press that is as
closely watched over as the foreign language
press Of America. where Except in cases where
special permits are given), every item printed
must be literally translated into English and
filed with representative of the federal gov
eminent before publication, is nil
It has also been urged that the circulation of
newspapers printed in foreign languages is un-
American; that it tends only to widen the gap
separating the immigrant from the native. But
it must be borne in mind, indeed, it cannot be too
emphatically stated, that newspaper is not q
cause but effect. It is the result Of q demand.
The demand will cease when there is no longer
single foreign group in this country that speaks
its native language. To do away, therefore,
with the foreign language press at the present
time is to bring down upon some ten millions Of
people the confusion of Babel. If you would do
away with foreign papers and books, you must
first teach those who read them the English
language. To deprive them Of their means of
expression in print is the surest and swiftest way
to increase communication by word Of mouth,
and incidentally to antagonize them toward any
attempt to teach them English.
It is impossible to set forth in detail the many
instances where during the war and the period
Immediately following, the foreign language
press has performed signal services for the gov
eminent. It has been not only one of the many
agencies in furthering the work of the selective
draft the fuel administration, the Liberty loans,
The internal revenue, it has in many instances
been the sole medium Of communication between
the government and the foreigner who cannot
understand English. One particular instance may
suffice. When the president made his proclaim
alton to the coal miners last year, an appeal was
made through the foreign language press to
give wide publicity to the appeal. This was done,
and the miners, most of whom could not in any
other way be reached and effected, responded
20 the call. Since the signing Of the armistice,
the foreign language press has entered whole
heartedly into the work Of spreading informa-
ion sent out by the government regardiIx the
employment bureaus activities, to mention but
me of many. It is evident that most of the in