Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-11-15
CHECK ALIEN ENEMIES


tention should not be diverted from
that great national danger repeatedly
pointed out by President Harding and
recently mentioned by President Cool
idge the n-Americanized aliens
in our midst" declares the Repub-
lican Publicity Association, through
its President, Hon. Jonathan Bourne,
Jr. "This Government has recog-
nized that danger by the enactment
of an immigration restriction law
which, If fairly and effectively en-
forced, guards against further inflow
of undesirable immigrant classes.
laws provide against immigration of
dependents, but it has become appar-
ent that those laws are being evaded
by a considerable number Of persons.
As pointed out by President Harding
in his speech at Portland, Oregon, on
July 4, last:
Thousands are finding their way
across our borders or through our
ports every month in defiance or ev-
ashton of the law ebcause of our in
sufficient regulations or inadequate
provisions for enforcement Of re-
strictions.'
"In an earlier address to Congress
on December 8, 1922, President Hard
ing urged the enactment Of bills Their
pending for the registration Of the Al
lien who has come to our shores. He
truly said that:
Life amid American opportunit-
les is worth the cost Of registration
if it is worth the seeking, and the
Nation has the right to know who are
citizens in the making or who live a.
mong us and share our advantages
while seeking to undermine our cher
ished institutions
ut needs no argument to establish
the fact that man who violates the
law in order to get into this country
can not be trusted to obey any other
law or to support American institu-
tions. In his recent address to the
Conference Of Governors President
Coolidge estimated the number Of a
liens coming into the United States
unlawfully at 100000 annually or
number equal to about 30 per cent of
those who come lawfully. This, as
he said, is serious menace to the
success of our immigration policy.
"The smuggling of this number
Of aliens who are not entitled to come
in accordance with the provisions of
law is direct challenge to the Amer
lean Government. One hundred thou
sand foreigners each year defy the
laws Of the United States in the
manner of their admission. Having
come here in defiance Of the Govern
ment, they live here in equal defi-
ance. Defying one law Of the Gov
eminent they are ready to defy every
other law. With very few possible
exceptions they have not in them the
making Of good American citizens.
"There may be some question as
to the wisdom of some of the details
Of our present immigration law. 1t
was an emergency measure and was
not claimed by its sponsors to be
perfect, But whatever doubt there
may be as to the wisdom of some fea-
lures Of the law, there can be no ques-
tion by anybody anywhere as to the
vital Importance Of enforcing that
law when it's enforcement is challeng
ed by men outside Of the United
States who seek to come here and live
here in defiance Of law.
Apparently the only practicalway
of enforcing our immigration law is
to provide for compulsory registra-
ton of aliens and the primpt deporta-
ton of very alien found to be here in
violation of law"