Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-26
Would Pass on Aliens
in Own Country Before
Starting for America

Washington, Jan. 25.-Secretary
Wilson's suggestion that the admis-
sibility of immigrants to the United
States be considered at the source sc
as to avoid the tragedy" of aliens
breaking up their homes and coming
to America only to be excluded has
met with the instant approval OF
European governments and American
diplomatic and consular officers over
seas, Anthony Caminetti. commits
sioner- general of immigration. de-
clared today before the Senate immi-
grafton committee. Mr.. Caminetti de-
scribed his recent trip through Eu-
rope to obtain first hand information
as to the immigration problem and
told of the very extensive prepare
tions being made by steamship lines,
foreign governments and various or
ganizations for handling the expected
flood of immigrants for the United
States.
Individually, Mr.. Caminetti said,
there was a general impression
among the peoples of Europe that the
American government, through vari-
Gus organizations operating to assist
immigration to this country, was in
viting aliens to come here. He de-
clared that this was not the intention
of the organizers NOR has 1t at any
time been their purpose, but the effect
is as stated and great masses of peo-
pie left their homes last fall and this
winter enduring hardshipS and Suf-
fering to reach ports of embarka-
ton"
Mr.. Caminetti pointed out that
while American laws prohibit per-
sons or organizations engaged in
transporting aliens to or within the
United States in any manner solicit
ing, inviting or encouraging any alien
to come to the United States, there
is nothing in the law to prohibit per-
sons or associations not engaged in
Transporting aliens from inviting or
encouraging them to come to Amer
lea.
what can be done, or what should
be done, if anything" he said, "is
matter to which consideration should
be given"
The committee was told by Mr..
Caminetti that trans Atlantic steam
ship lines seemed to be deeply en-
gagged" in making provision for the
handling of immigrants for the pres
ent as well as for the future. He
said the immigrant barracks or hotels
at embarkation ports in use before
the war had either been placed in
commission again or preparations
made for their further use and that
new barracks along improved lines
were being constructed.
The Red Star line is planning such
barracks at Antwerp. he said, while
the White Star Line and Cunard Line
plan barrcks at Cherbourg. which he
said now gives promise of becoming
one of the largest immigration en-
barkation points in Europe. Much
activity also is being shown at South
ampton and former war time prison
barracks at Danzig are being used to
care for the great flow of immigrants
through that port.
Mr.. Caminetti said he visited eight
countries-Great Britain. France,
Italy, Belgium, Holland, Czechoslov-
aka. Poland and Judgoslayia and
conferred with officials whom he
found Interested, in the proposal of
Secretary Wilson and ready to CO.
operate with the American govern
ment in it's effort to stop inadmissable
aliens at their source.
Steamship companies. he said. also
expressed the desire to cooperate
with the United States in this work.