Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-04-20
BAR OUT alien
UNDESIRkbLES
HUGHES ADVICE
On Eve House Action
on immigration
/ Measure
Thousands From European
Siums Eager to Enter United
States-Law Must Be Made
to Head Them Off-Debate
Starts in House Today

Strlctoh OF immigration was recon-
mended today by Secretary Hughes
in official documents transmitted to
Congress. They were interpreted
by House and Senate leaders as re-
fiecting increased need for the imme-
date passage of the immigration
bill. reported today by the House
committee, limiting admission of
aliens for IA months beginning next
May 10, to three per cent. of each
nationality resident in the United
States in 1910. Debate ON the House
will begin tomorrow under special
rule.
"Our restriction on immigration
should be so rigid" Mr.. Hughes re-
port said, that it would be impossi-
BILE for most of these people to enter
the United States Particular ref
erence was made to undesirable
classes from Balkan cities, Armenia,
Russia and Georgia.
The report said 606,292 passports
vises were granted by American con-
suls in Europe in 1920, rejecting a
stimulated desire in most European
countries to emigrate to America be-
fore anti-immigration laws were
passed. The principal restraining
influence was said to be lack OF
funds due to deprecated currency
values.
1.-THE director general of police of
Rumania," the report adds, has U.s.
sued an order excusing all Jews from
military service and permitting their
discharge from the army if they de-
sire to emigrate to America"
In Rumania 1900 persons were
awaiting examination for permission
to come to the United States, it was
said, while tremendous pressure"
for passage was reported by officials
in Poland, where 3d. 600 awaited third
class accommodations.
Let's and Lithuanians leaving the
Balkan states, Mr.. Hughes said,
were largely people from the slums.
the vast majority Jews of an unde-
sirable type"
In the Russian CausasuS, lit may
be aceepted as nearly literally true"
Mr.. Hughes said, "that very Armen-
ian family which has enough money
to get away or is not impregnated
with Bolshevism, will ultimately en-
deavor to emigrate to America. Rus
slams and Georgians are likely more
and more to emigrate to the same
haven.
1.-THE great bulk of emigrants to
the United States from this district
are highly undesirable as material
for future American citizens"
In making his recommendations
Mr.. Hughes said:
"Our restriction on immigration
should be so rigid that it would be
impossible for most of these people
to enter the United States. Refer
ence is especially made to Armen-
ians. Jews, Persians and Russians,
all of which have been so driven
hither and thither since 1914 that
they cannot be regarded as desirable
populations for any country"
The report said that 5000 Armen-
ians and 10000 Syrians were waiting
passage from Bagdad and that de-
spite difficulties of emigration from
Germany, the number desiring TO
come from that country had doubled
in the last year, compared with any
similar period since the war ended.
Senator Jones, Republican. Wash
ington, introduced an amendment to
the immigration bill in the Senate
TODAY which would compel all immi-
grants to the United States to take
HvInO
American flag.
Exception to certain statements IN
the report of Secretary Hughes to
Congress was taken tonight by Rep
resentative Siegel, Republican, New
York, in a statement Mr.. Siegel
Representatives Maloney, Republican
Massachusetts, and SABBATH, Demo
crat, Illinois, also filed minority re-
port opposing restrictive Legislation
at this time and asserting that "the
wisest policy for Congress to follow
is to deliberate first and to legislate
afterwards"
The statement by Mr.. Siegel said ir
part:
1T is exceedingly regretable that a
report purporting to be signed by
Secretary Hughes should have beer
issued from the Department of State
wherein the statment is made. that
'Armenians, Jews, Persians and Rus
slams, all of which have been so driv-
en- hither and thither since 1914, that
they can not be regarded as desirable
populations for any country should
have been given wide publicity.
1.-THE letter containing this memoir
andum is alleged to have had his sig
nature thereon.
Undoubtedly Secretary Hughes
will promptly take steps to ascertain
who is responsible for the issuance of
the statement, which the entire world
knows is false and untrue"
The minority report said the sign
ers were in favor of the admission Of
"only those who are mentally, moral
! ly and physically fit and who are
coming here for the purpose Of be-
coming real American citizens in the
fullest sense of the term" but con-
! tended that the proposed bill would
retard the reunion of families who
have been separated since the war.
close the doors of America as an asy-
Hum for religious and political .refu-
gees and would create the most ter
rible hardships in the United States