Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-01-20
Nations May Soon
Disregard Passport

Washington, Jan. 2O.-The passing
or the passport is gradually being
brought about in response to a grow
Ing disposition on the part Of the
nations to get rid of burdensome war
time regulations Of travel. Persons
prominent in diplomatic affairs here
unhesi:atingly predict that as a con-
sequence the time is net far distant
when tourists may girdle the globe
virtually as unhampered as in the
days before 1914.
The agitation for a removal of the
necessity for consular visas upon pass
ports and a letting down of the bars
in border regulations had its incep-
ton and strongest backing among the
business men of all nations: Restric-
tons upon travel have reacted upon
the commercial life Of those, nations
accustomed to gather large yearly
harvests from the well filled pockets
of foreign visitors, it was pointed out;
and that reaction to the pinch Of war
time necessity is likely to carry the
pendulum Of travel restrictions back
to its old position.
Belgium Took First Step,
Belgium was the first to Ease the
restrictions upon travel imposed at
the beginning of the war. Convinced
that the necessity for rigid examina-
ton OF visitors was at an end with the
coming Of peace. the Brussels govern
ment so modified it's restrictions that
persons passing through Belgium en-
route to, other countries. and persons
intending to visit Belgium for a period
not greater than 90 days might do so
without credentials. That move was
followed, by agitation in Switzerland
for similar letting down of the bars,
and the recent action Of Switzerland
in granting permission for visitors to
enter 'ha country without passport
restrictions is believed to be indicative
Of the trend Of thought in virtually
all the other European countries.
q. S. Situation Different.
The position Of the United States is
somewhat different from that Of It's
sister nations. it is explained by Of
ficials of the state department.
Americas restrictions on immigration
make it vitality important hat the
influx he carefully sorted at its points
Of origin. it is said. and for that
reason all persons intending to enter
this country must appear before an
American consul and have heir pass
norts approved with a visa. BY 30
doing. the prospective IMMIGRANT Is
spared a trim to his country ami his
return home without being allowed to
land because the quota Of nationals
OF his particular country allowed to
+ enter America under the new 1m!nl-
grafton law had been Alled before the
'm~ig-ant's arrival here. The pro-
vision for cul!ing immigrants abroad
was laid down by conRrer IN an eff
fort to facilitate operation of the i'm
misration laws. and therei il little
prospect that the rigid rule .reau.ring
passport 'visas will be frescinded, 1t IL
| said. | ~
Other nations adopted the. custom
Of requiring visas on passports shortly
after the American law went into ef-
feet, but their action was rather in
the nature OF retaliation for what was
| believed to be an undue hardship
ir posed on their subjects by the
American regulation. It Is said. and
sa-tinent abroad is veering to the be-
lief hat that retaliation has not paid
and #. would be well to make travel
az convenient for Mrftors-Ame-ican
ana other-as poeYhe, The action
of Belgium and Switzerland was cited
in support Of that belief. %inasniuch
! as those. two countries decided to re-
move restrictions. from American
travellers without demanding a reci-
procal arrangement in this country.
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