Evening star., 1921-04-21
Secretary Hughes on immigration.

In his recommendation of rigid re-
striction of immigration to the United
States, made Tuesday to Congress,
preston to the preponderant desire
of the nation on the subject. 1t is gen.
orally felt that the position taken by
the State Department will insure the
swift passage of the immigration bill,
reported yesterday by the House COM
mittee. by which immigration for the
fourteen months starting May 10
would be limited to per cent Of the
nationality resident in the United
States in 1910. This BILL with the ex-
ception of the dates between which
immigration would be restricted, is
identical with that passed at the last
session Of Congress and killed by Pres
ident Wilson's pocket veto.
Briefly outlined, the foundation upon
which Secretary Hughes bases his
recommendation is that the United
States is threatened with a food OF
immigrants, many of whom are of an
undesirable character, and that such
a flood would have a bad effect upon
the nation. He points out that SOC. .2s2
passport vises were granted by Ameri-
can consuls in Europe in 1920, that
the principal restraining influence
upon the influx was lack of funds, and
presents facts and figures which, lack
ing restriction, would indicate an in
crease rather than a lessening in the
tide Of foreigners to our shores in the
immediate future. Mentioning certain
classes Of aliens specifically. he de-
clares that "our restriction upon i'm
migration should be so rigid that it
would be impossible for most Of these
people to enter the United States
That is the fact. The basis upon
which immigrants are admitted to
this or any other country should be
clearly established as depending upon
their ability to benefit the nation to
which they seek admittance as
means Of benefiting themselves. Tn
der certain conditions immigrants are,
much to be desired. Under other con-
ditions, which they themselves shape,
but indirectly, they become undesir-
able. The United States finds itself
in this latter condition today There
are not jobs enough to "go round"
under existing business conditions.
Tho cities to which, for reasons best
known to themselves. immigrants
seem invariably to- flock are already
overcrowded. These facts play an
important part in creating that condi-
ton. But the fundamental circum-
stance giving rise to an aversion to
unrestricted immigration is still more
compelling.
The nation is aware Of the dangers
Of admitting foreigners to its shores
more quickly than they can be assim.
Hated. We have with US today hun
dreds of thousands to whom, we have
learned in the years Just passed, must
still be brought the true conception of
what America stands for. The task
Of assimilating. Of Americanizing
tuocc WIZ aAc OH c<1uy d part OF the
nation, has but just been entered upon.
To materially enhance the numbers Of
those lacking a proper understanding
Of the nation in which they play a
vital part would be an obvious act of
folly.
1t is estimated that under the immi.
grafton bill now before the House
1885, aliens may be admitted to the
United States during the fourteen
months covered by the measure. That
restriction, while it may inllict indi.
vidual hardships upon the few, will
work for the just benefit of the ma.
jority. That is the fact upon which
Secretary Hughes bases his general
recommendations. The basis is JUS.
titled as in full accord with the rudi-
ments Of the spirit Of America.