Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1919-10-31


ing to abandon the fatherland and
seek their fortunes abroad. This figure
is official, furnished by Geheimrat
Jung, director of the recently organ
lied government bureau Of migration.
1t will take ten years to transport
the emigrants, according to Herr
Jung. Bad economic conditions, result
ing from the war. are responsible for
the Wholesale exodus.
The big German steamship compa-
MES already have began booking pas
sages for the prospective emigrants.
The Hamburg-Amerika line alone,
according to Carl Vogelsang, director
of the Berlin office, has waiting list
Of 400 families destined for the United
States and South America.
"But, of course, we cannot begin
moving the passengers until the en-
tente powers have ratified the peace
treaty. when probably we shall char
ter several big liners from America"
declared Herr Vogelsang.
Few Coming to U. s.
The United States, in the opinion
of Geheimrat Jung, will receive but
an infinitesimal proportion Of Ger
many's army Of emigrants. The Ger
man government at least Is not en-
couraging emigration to the United
States.
"In the United States" said Herr
Jung, "our people lose their German
nationality and become Americanized.
The German-Americans proved this In
the war.
"We want our emigrants to remain
German. This is possible only in
countries where language and customs
are sharply contrasted to our own.
Countries like Russia, Argentina, Para
quay and Brazil are ideal for German
settlements.
1--WE have a report here that the
American congress has made law
compelling all immigrants, to study
the English language and American
history. Such measures Of cOmpulsion
will certainly not appeal to Germans.
Russia probably will be the IA
vorite point Of emigration for Ger
mans. That country ab0dnds in virgin
resources that can be exploited by
industrious and thrifty Germans.
Furthermore, the political radical
ism of Russia has a peculiar appeal
to the mind Of the German working
man. He feels that Russia is the only
country where capital does not prey
upon labor.
"The British colonies, including
Canada, are put out Of question as
they, In common with England, have
passed exclusion acts against German
immigration. Mexico is questionable.
While Mexico is highly desirable
country for German settlement, II
probably will be so strongly under
American control that our emigrants
will be refused entry.
Won't Encourage Exodus.
"This bureau does not encourage
emigration at all. In fact, the new
German government was at first d.
rectly opposed to emigration. But since
the new constitution specifically per-
mits II we must see that the emigrant
is properly directed and advised. That
is the only purpose Of my department.
"We also must protect the emigrant
against explOiters who would sepa-
rate him from his money. Doubtful
organizations which peddle golden
promises for the emigrant's cash have
sprung up.
"For instance, one particular COM
pany Is booming Patagonia as the
land of wonderful opportunities and
trying to persuade our emigrants to
settle there, when, as matter of fact,
no German farmer or laborer could
make a living In Patagonia.
There are five or six good compa-
MES that honestly endeavOr to find
suitable locations for German settle
ment In South America, but most OF
these so-called emigration societies
are much like your American real
estate concerns selling lots on the
bottom of lake."