San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-13
OLD PROBLEM STILL ALIVE

Italy is negotiating with Portugal for
the purchase of huge tracts of fertile
land in Africa. The land which Italy
desires is in Angola, Western Africa
it is known as the Benguela territory,
and consists of 100000 square kilometers.
And the purpose for which she desires
it is-guess what!
It's the same old story-over-popula-
ton. There are in Italy, as in other
European countries that might be men
toned, more people than the homeland
can adequately support. 1t is estimated
that the African territory referred to,
which has an equable climate and rich
soil, is capable of sustaining 100000
italian emigrants-for how long? Just
five years! Thus one may gain some
conception of Italy's surplus-population
problem. And the same kind of prob
lem burdens other European countries !;
Americans see an expression of it when
ever aliens flock to this country's des-
ignated ports of entry-a movement that
takes place every month in the year.
1t would be foolish, Of course, to say
that the problem itself constitutes an
invidious comment upon the countries
that are burdened by it. At some time
in the distant future there may be more
people in the United States than the
land of this country can adequately sup
port-a time that is being fastened by
the influx of aliens.
But one phase of the matter does re-
fleet invidiously upon foreign nations
For centuries the nations of Europe
have tried, SO to speak, to eat their cake
and have it too. While getting rid Of
their surplus population by encouraging
emigration, they have undertaken, to
extend their governmental jurisdiction !;
not satisfied with the relief afforded by
emigration, they have sent their re-
spective flags along with the people of
whom they were anxious to be rid. Or.
in cases where the flag could not be
sent along, the emigrants, seeking new
homes in another land, have been en-
couraged to carry with them the gov
ernmental philosophy of the country that
was unable to support them.
Thus did the Monroe Doctrine come
into being; it was a reaction to the
attempts of European nations to extend
their influence to South America and
other parts of the Western Hemisphere.
But there is no Monroe Doctrine to
protect the virgin lands of Africa against
Jtaliar expansion. If the deal between
Portugal and Italy goes through, huge
territory that has been only nominally
subject to Portuguese influence will come
under the actual dominion of the Italian
monarchy, as the settlers there will
owe allegiance to the Italian king-or
to the Mussolinis of the future. And
the Mussolini of the present has been
acting as though he were super-king.
OF course this does not directly affect
the United States or its interests. Ii
serves. however. as an illustration OF
the difference between the American and
the European philosophy of government
and as reminder to Americans that
their country has, as yet, no such prob
lem as that with which European ma
tons are constantly harassed 1t may
serve also to impress upon Americans
the danger. in admitting into this couu-
!: try large numbers of aliens who, al.
though coming as individuals. never
theless bear in their hearts the flags
of the nations which, in the economic
sense, spewed them forth.
Against such dangers the Monroe
I. Doctrine affords America no protection
Neither can this country compel The
aliens it receives to renounce the heart