Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-02-21

The World War proved two things to
the American people: First. that the
immigration Of a million aliens a wear
TO these shores was not necessary %
keep our industries alive. While the
war was in progress there was little
or no immigration. and millions ~ men
we're taken out OF industry. and induct-
ed into the Army and Navy Work IN
America continued. Some few lines
were curtailed in production but
many others were extended. which
caused an average 10 be struck
Another point demonstrated was that
this nation cannot assimnato vast
hordes OF foreigners with ease We
can pirate all We wish oc the great
melting pot" but the truth is thnt
the pot does not melt quickly and bare
~ SINNERS. Everyone remembers the
troubles which we experienced with
aliens. Hundreds Of thousands OF men
who had taken out their first papers
| even. and who 10 all intents and pur-
poses had declared their intention of
becoming American citizens. rushed
| back TO their respective fatherlands the
moment that their princclings issued
| the call 70 the colors." The ties of
| blood We're so strong that they could
| not be broken.
| Untn 1860 America developed dis
| tinct national character based more or
less on Nordic traits. Our Colonial
! populations were picked specimens Of
| Nordic races. Even the Irish irnrnigra-
| 11
Nordic strain. The German immigrants
| OF two years later We're Of the same
| characteristics while those who came
later were mainly OF the Alpine races.
/ II wns easy for these carly arrivals
possessing our strains OF blood 10 he
| assimilated But the situation ,yas
changed after 1860. It is worthy Of
comment that in 1914. only one-fourtt
Of the immigrants were Nordic. who
could be easily melted down. and three
fourths were Of Asiatic. Mediterranean
or Alpine strains, which have never
been successfully assiInnated with the
older strain. These latter were people
with = different historic background
different ideals. different customs. and
different manners. Their whole out
look on life was different from ours.
You can take an EngIishman. ar
Irishman, or a Nordic Dutchrnan. ant
he soon understands America. its ways
customs, ideals But with the Others
the task of Americanization is diff.
fcult. The majority Of them come no
TO America seeking religious or politica
freedom, but hunting for the tabled 20
Of gold which they believe IS hiddcr
under every crossroads tree
In 1919, there was total immigra
ton to our shores of 237 ,021 persons
In 1920, there were 621.576 arrivals
The records for January indicate tha
over million may be expected to pas
through Ellis Island IN 1921 uules
this Dillingham; bill becomes . law
There is not enough work in Americi
today for everyone. The ranks Of tin
idle are large. We do not need men 70
industry Man-power now is on
greatest asset More than all else "
need time 10 digest, il such may be pos
sible, those aliens in our midst wh
havr not learned yet the lesson Of wha
America stands for.
America must not become the dump
ing ground Of the refuse of Europ,
} We have our own troubles, withou
adding TO them. America is willing 1
} offer an asylum 70 peoples who hav
: not political or religious freedom. Bu
the spirit Of our country is violate
3 when some seek to make 1t an eco
{ nomic asylum for all peoples.
: The Dillingham; bill should be enact
I'd into law Then Congress shoul