South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-22
Emigration Vital
Problem Before
Peace Congress
Satisfying Peoples Land
Hunger One Means of
Solving Question.
BY LOWELL MEILETT.
Copyright 1919. by the United
Press.)

PARIS. Jan. IA tidal wave Of
restless humanity will sweep across
the world like the invasions OF Huns
and Goths in the Middle Ages. un-
less the peace congress exercises
foresight in handling the vital prob
lem of emigration. An economic. in
dustrial and social calamity can be
averted only by satisfying the peo-
ple's land hunger" and elevating.
their social status.
This was the view expressed today
by the American commission which
has been investigating conditions in
European countries.
"The world is restless was the
way Frederic c. Howe. commission
or OF immigration for the port Of
New York summed up the situation.
For many years he sat at Americas
gateway. Ellis island, and watched
the incoming human tide. He just
returned to Paris from southern
Germany. where ne accompanied
French mission. The view Of his as
sociates. who visited other parts Of
Europe. comedies with him.
Think i'm Terms Of land.
The soldiers OF Great Britain.
France. Italy, Scandinavia, Ger
many. Austria and the Balkans, are
thinking in terms Of land" said
Howe
"A way must be found 20 satisfy
this land hunger. And, because the
peoples are impoverished. and the
necessity urgent, it must be land
capable Of immediate production
not land requiring a generation 10
develop.
I'm southern Germany, where in
dustries are at a standstill through
lack of materials Of one kind and
another. the people face a desperate
situation. They are turning their
faces toward the border and are
considering the possibility Of find
ing homes elsewhere.
"Italy's population actually in
creased as a result OF the war. Nor
NAL emigration was damned up,
while hundreds Of thousands OF men
returned home to fight
Not Solely Westward.
THE movement OF peoples is not
solely westward. however. Hundreds
OF thousands Of Europeans. for one
reason or another. returned from
America TO their homes each year.
The war stopped this ebb. particu-
larlv for citizens Of neutral coun-
tries. Multiply this annual emigra-
ton by four and you have vast
army. waiting impatiently in Amer
-
10 their home land. Many Of these
are dissatisfied with their position in
American society. where they are re-
garded as menials. They expect 20
return home and buy farms and be-
come important and respected citi-
zens. Instances Of this attitude are
not isolated. but general.
NeutraIs Resentful.
There is also a widespread re-
sentiment among the immigrants
from neutral countries over what
they consider Americas rough shod
treatment OF them IN war time. This
provides the incentive for many 70
return home There Is no doubt that
many European nations are con
sidering legislation for the restric-
tion OF emigration. hoping 20 keep
their people at home. on the other
hand America and other lands Of
promise doubtlessly will instructive
~ put up barriers, especially since
they desire 20 protect the interests
Of their returning soldiers.
"The peace congress should take
up the problems presented by this
situation and work out cOmprehen-