Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-06
MONDAY. DECEMBER 6, 1920.
Restricting Immigration.

II HE time has come when Congress mus,
give serious consideration 10 the immi-
grafton problem. The incoming tide of aliens
has grown TO such an extent that alarm is
felt in many quarters over the possibility
o. & veritable food OF foreigners, some OF
them highly desirable. but others so mani
testify undesirable, either as citizens or as
transiea.s, that the country must find means
TO check the movement.
The government al Washington is enough
concerned oyeI the problem already that I,
has sent the Comm !ssionnr-G eneral OF I'm
migration on a hurried trip 10 Europe 10
make personal survey of the situation and
10 recommend measures for restricting the
flow OF immigrants 10 this couatry. Presi-
den, Wilson may make mention Of the Ques-
lion in his va!edictory message to Congress,
but 1t is more likely that he will wait until
Mr.. Caminetti returns.
The Pacific Coast section is profoundly
aroused over the continued migration Of
Orienlals TO that region. There have been
repeated conferences there between State
Governors, committees Of Congress and rep
resenta;ives OF the national administration
seeking means OF protecting the interests OF
the coast against the Jap menace" The
Japanese government is lighting stubbornly
for full recognition OF the civil rights OF
Japs in America
But II is not tpc Japanese question that is
now disturbing thoughtful people generally.
Ii Is the almost unprecedented movement OF
European Immigrants 10 the hospitablo
shores Of America, During the calendar
years OF 1915 ana 1919 aliens came to this
country in small groups only. Less than
100000 were received during that period
Already this year hundreds of thousands OF
SlaVs, Italians, Croats Russians. Scaudi-
haNluhS, Greeks and other nationals have
poured through the ports OF New York Ros-
ton, Philadelphia Baltimore and Norfolk.
ii IS estimated that If the immigrant
movement continues for another wear M the.
pFeseh, rate, more than 1000 600 foreign
crs VII! nave cone TO America since the
signing oil the armistice Nor is il possible
Tor this country to absorb readily so enor.
nous foreign population. Assuming that
every man woman and child who landed n,
Ellis Island in that period was potentially
a good citizen and would eventually con
toGie something TO the wealth Of the ma
Ion II would still be difficult il no, i,upos-
sioIe to Amer!canize them properly.
me TACT IS that not more than one out
oi ever! '"o aliens now pouring into Amer
lca Is M for American citizenship M cx-
acting test, other than a health and Grim
maj one, is applied 10 aliens seeking IN he
aoinitten 20 the United States The literacy
St as"ih ana again by Presidents
la!t and Wilson, was finally lcgisla;cd rnop
but it has not operated as a bar TO any groa,
number OF aliens Al that is required nm.
der 1t is an ability on the part of an i'm.
misTant to read and write 4 few lines Of bis
own language and to understand a few
STOCK questions which may be asked
IL wholesale immigration is to be re-
s'rlc'eu' some Other means than those now
em pioyea must be resorted TO, and i; appears
that Gongfess Inust soon address itself TO
this question. ~