GOVERNMENT WILL WAR ON WHITE SLAVES

Secretary of Department of Commerce and Labor to Investigate Importation of Women Into America.

The Hearst News Service --

WASHINGTON, Saturday, Oct. 5. -- Secretary Oscar S. Straus, of the department of commerce and labor, and Frank P. Sargent, commissioner of immigration, have determined to eliminate, if possible, the "white slave" traffic from the United States. On his recent trip through the Northwestern and Pacific States, the attention of Straus was directed to the increasing importation of Oriental women.

The Japanese and Korean Exclusion League informed him that hundreds of Japanese women were being brought to America, surreptitiously, and held in practical slavery and sold by their importers.

Straus ordered a rigid investigation, and it was discovered that the "white slave" traffic was far more widespread than had been suspected, involving the importation into America not only of Japanese women, but of women from France, Austria, Russia and Italy.

It is proposed to have careful inquiry instituted and a round-up of all questionable women immigrants will be made. Those who have not been in the country three years and are found to have been brought here illegally will be arrested and subsequently deported. Before they are returned to their native land, however, they will be required to furnish evidence against those who brought them here, and prosecution will be begun against those responsible for the traffic.

It is proposed to make examples of such persons by sending them to prison.