WOULD MAKE OUTLAW OF RED ENEMY
Commissioner-General of Immigration, in Annual Report, Says Deportation Does Not Punish Anarchist.
NATIONS OF WORLD SHOULD TAKE ACTION
Anthony Caminetti Declares "Gentlemen's Agreement" With Japan Has Not Brought Proper Restriction.
By Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Monday, Dec. 15. -- Deportation is not "punishment for crime," but merely allows the alien anarchist to change his field of activity, declares Anthony Caminetti, commissioner-general of the bureau of immigration, in his annual report, made public today.
"It is to be hoped," says the report, "that the lot of the anarchist will not so continue, but that by the common consent of civilized nations something more may be done to provide for his adequate punishment as an international outlaw."
The "gentleman's agreement" with Japan regarding the admission of "picture brides," says the report, "has not brought the degree of restriction which might have been, and probably was, anticipated by those who took part in the negotiations, but that this result "grows out of the terms of the agreement rather than the manner of its observance."
Immigration of Japanese females, "by far the greater number of them picture brides,'" to continental United States was 20,363 in 1899 and 80,532 in 1909-1919, the report said, or an increase in the average annual immigration from 688 before the passport agreement was effective to 2,567 during the agreement.
Japanese Marriage Laws.
The commissioner's report notes that in the absence of treat provisions the validity of marriages, such as those contracted by Japanese "picture brides," is determined by the law of the place where it is contracted. Investigation by the Bureau of Immigration, the report said, showed that under laws of Japan "it is possible for a Japanese man residing in the United States to contract a valid marriage with a woman residing in Japan by giving official notification to the registrar in that country in writing over his personal signature and seal, that the woman who becomes a party to a marriage of this kind is always furnished with a certified copy of the family registry, attesting the marriage, upon which document the Japanese government issues to her a passport as the wife of a Japanese resident of the United States.
The number of male Japanese admitted during the preagreement period was 122,293, as against 33,510 admitted under the agreement, according to the report. However, the commissioner notes that "in 1909, the first full year of the agreement, only 1,596 Japanese were admitted. The number increased quite regularly year by year until it reached 7,671 in 1919."
The report says the Pacific Coast continues to be the destination of nearly all Japanese immigrants, and 82.5 per cent of those admitted to the mainland since 1909 express intention of remaining there, compared with 88.5 during the preagreement period.
Fewer Coming to Washington.
"California is far in the lead of the other states," the report continues, "as shown by the fact that prior to the agreement 44.9 per cent were destined to that state compared to 62.1 per cent during the last eleven years. On the other hand the proportion destined to Washington decreased from 37.1 per cent of the whole in 1899-1908 to 16.1 per cent in 1909-1919."
The commissioner suggested extension of the "barred zone," which by an act of February 5, 1917, shut out laborers from India, Siam, Indo-China and other regions, "to such other parts of Asia as are not now included and also to Africa and adjacent lands." The establishment of mandatories in these undeveloped countries will inspire a migratory spirit among their peoples, the commissioner said.
"Let us fully protect ourselves first
The number of Chinese in the United States is decreasing rapidly, the report indicates. Census figures in 1890 showed 106,701, compared with 81,534 in 1900 and 56,756 in 1910.
"It may be expected that the census of 1920 will reveal a further decrease," the report says, "for emigration has exceeded immigration and a great part of our Chinese population being of advanced age, the decrease by death has undoubtedly been comparatively heavy. This failure to be enrolled has not constituted an offense, or cause, in case of aliens, for deportation, there is no question that more of this people and other Asiatics are in the country than were listed on the census rolls."
Creation of an additional office of Assistant Secretary of Labor with jurisdiction over all immigration matters, deportation of alien draft slackers and strengthening of the border patrol service against undesirables, are among the recommendations made by the commissioner-general.
Suggestions that immigration be suspended completely are opposed by the commissioner of the ground that it would have an "injurious effect upon our efforts to further American commerce and enterprise in foreign countries." Continuance of wartime passport vise regulations and assignment of immigration bureau representatives at consular offices to aid in excluding undesirables is urged instead.
Only two aliens were excluded from the United States during the fiscal year on anarchistic grounds, while thirty-seven aliens in the same class were expelled from the country and fifty-five are now awaiting deportation. To reach American citizens who engage in similar propaganda, the report urges that "the acts prohibited by the anarchistic provisions of the immigration laws" be made criminal offenses.
To Strengthen Patrol.
An additional assistant secretary of labor, together with a larger legal and administrative staff, is recommended on the ground that it would obviate delays now encountered within the department. The arrest during the year of many inadmissible Japanese and Chinese, as well as several alien enemies, who had been smuggled into the country, prompted the proposal to strengthen border patrol forces.
"The bureau now has a small force doing effective work along that line on the borders of Canada and Mexico and on our coasts, but this needs to be materially increased," the report said. "This class of work need experienced officers who will devote their entire time and all their energies to the task."
A proposed new immigration law, submitted by Mr. Caminetti, would put the burden of proof of admissibility upon persons seeking to enter the United States, and provide for registration of all aliens and a probational status for those whose admissibility is not clearly established. The law would add to the excluded class aliens who "practice, advocate, teach, sanction or encourage the extortion of money or property," aimed at members of blackhand societies.