The New York herald., 1921-01-30
Immigrating Women Seek Husbands
From 10000 900 American Bachelor
New York Herald bureau, /
Washington, ID. c., Jan. 20.

To the women of Europe and the war
blasted countries America is coming to stand
for all that is romantic. Every transatlantic
liner docking at ports of the United States
brings hundreds Of women, young and en-
thusiastic. and most Of them single, from
Great Britain. Ireland, Scotland. France.
italy and Belgium The history of world
immigration is being changed and must be
rewritten along lines never before known.
In Washington careful cons deration be-
gan to be given it within the last few
months In some cases the attention of the
officials was directed to the matter by let
ters from men in American cities who had
learned OF the movement Some Of the men
asked assistance In clSing wives from the
groups of women arriving at Atlantic ports
Washington newspaper correspondent re-
ceived letter from a man in Bethlehem
Pa. who said he desired to marry French
lady between 80 and 40 years Of age, to
whom l would give good home"
Washington officials began asking them
selves these quest ons:
What is the reason for this annual mi
grafton of women of other nations3- Is it
desirable, and should IL be encouraged or
regulated? Has the United States Govern
ment any power to stop It? Is any moral
factor involved? What will be the effect, il
any. on the family life OF America? What
are the possibilities Of the hopes of these
European women being fulfilled in this
country?
There followed hunting through records
and documents OF practically all departments
in Wash ngton. Data of the immigration
Bureau were examined for years back. To
the Census Bureau then went the nvesti-
gators with the demand for facts about con-
ditions In thie country. The Census Bureau
according to common belief, deals only with
figures and computations generally rated as
dry as dust" But has made available q
mass OF information which might be pub
lished under some such title as "The Ro-
mantle Possibilities of the United States"
European statesmen long ago began to
collect data on the subject of the migrat on
OF women. The first thing that stood out
clearly was that the fiocking Of women from
their home countries to the United States
was q direct result of the war Eight mill
ion men In the flush of manhood were killed
in the great war. A larger number we're
manned. Great Britain and the European
countries before the war had an excess OF
women and girls in their populations.
The war intensified for the European nations
this inequality In the proportions OF males
and females. One French statesman recently
estimated that In his country there now
are 100000 women for whom there are no
mates. A similar condition is believed to
exist in England, while in italy the excess
and Austria present no better conditions.
French ofncials generally came TO the con-
cIusion that this disparity between the pro-
portions OF adult males and females indi-
Gated the possibility Of a moral menace
Women OF all European counties IL was
thought would plunge into deadly rivalry
to attract ana hold the attentions and sf-
lection of the men, who were In such alarm
ing minority that they could practically
pick and choose Fashions OF women's dress
now regarded as the most daring and by
some a. the most immodest in history, are
helicved by one French authority to be an
outgrowth Of the rivalry among the women
Of Europe. fmmodesty in dress Is said TO
have followed every great war the world
ever knew.
War Taught Women Independence;
They Do Not Rely on Government
European statesmen were not long in pro-
posing remedial measures In France Il was
suggested that the Government undertake
tho establishment Of matrimonial agency
which should have for It's purpose the at
traction Of adult males to France from other
countries and especially from the United
States. II was proposed that the Govern
n1ent advertise In American newspapers
and attempt to persuade American young
men to emigrate to France. Offering them
land. and In some cases n cash bonus. II
was to he stipulated that American males