prefer the Oriental if it were possible. In conclusion, he claimed that, with the passage of this measure, "we shall have sufficient legislation to improve the quality, provide for assimilation, and protect the standard of life that is required for decent living." At this time of Congressional debating on the literacy test, many intercollegiate debates dealt with this subject all over the country, presenting much material to the many communities in which they were held. The main arguments of the many speakers in favor of the literacy test centered around the point that in order to continue the prevailing American standard of living, it was essential to stem the floods of unskilled laborers who were inferior to the American working man in standards of living and in intelligence.43 PRESIDENT TAFT VETOES IMMIGRATION BILL, OWING TO This bill was the direct outcome of the report of the Immigration Commission, and provided for the literacy test. The early bill passed both houses of Congress, but was vetoed, with great reluctance, on account of the literacy test, by President Taft, on February 14, 1913. He believed that the bill" violates a principle, that ought, in my opinion, to be upheld in dealing with our immigration. I refer to the literacy test." 44 PRESIDENT WILSON TWICE VETOES LITERACY TEST IMMI GRATION MEASURES The bill was again introduced and passed the 63rd Congress, but was returned to the House by President Wilson on January 28, 1915, without his signature, because "it excludes those to whom the opportunities of elementary education have been denied, without regard to their character, their purpose, or their natural capacity." 45 It again passed the following Congress, but was vetoed for the second time by President Wilson on January 29, 1917. Besides "University Debaters Handbook, Ed. Charles Mabie, 1916, p. 209. The Intercollegiate Debates, Vol. III, p. 187. "Congressional Record, 62nd Cong., Vol. XLIX, p. 3156. Ibid., 63rd Cong., Vol. LII, pt. 3, pp. 2481-2. House Document No. 1527, 63rd Cong., Ses. III. reiterating his former objections he anticipated that the passage of the bill might lead to very hazardous diplomatic situations. The proposed bill exempted from the operation of the literacy test "all aliens who shall prove to the satisfaction of the proper immigration officer or to the Secretary of Labor that they are seeking asylum because of their religious faith." 46 He considers that this provision would compel the officer to pass judgment upon the laws and practices of a foreign government and that international difficulties would result. Nevertheless, the bill was passed over the President's veto and became law on February 20, 1917. The fight was waged on that section of the bill which provided for the literacy test, although the bill also added restrictions aimed at mental diseases, and included an increased head tax. Department OF STATE FLOODED with INQUIRIES FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS ABOUT PENDING IMMIGRATION ACT During the framing of the Burnett-Dillingham Bill of 1917, clauses were proposed to the effect that United States consular agents in foreign countries should have supervision over prospective emigrants in the issuance of passports. Foreign governments protested so vigorously to the Department of State that this legislation was abandoned. 46 Congressional Record, 64th Cong. Vol. LIV, pt. 3, pp. 2212-13. House Document No. 2003, 64th Cong., Ses. II. Act of Feb. 5, 1917 (64th Cong., Ses. II, Vol. XXXIX, C. 29, 1915-17). Increased head tax to $8.00 (children under sixteen years exempted). Lien on vessel. Exclusion of aliens over sixteen years of age "physically capable of reading, who can not read the English language, or some other language or dialect, including Hebrew or Yiddish." Certain exceptions. Soliciting immigration by transportation companies unlawful. Excluded class—idiots, feeble minded persons, paupers, professional beggars, persons with chronic alcoholism, persons who have had one or more attacks of insanity. WAR MEASURES Act of Oct. 6, 1917 (40 Stat. 412). out a license. Prohibition on enemy transportation with Act of May 22, 1918 (40 Stat. 559). Restrictions on entering or departing from the United States during war time. Joint Resolution of June 29, 1918 (40 Stat. 634). Readmission of excluded aliens who served with United States or allied forces. Act of October 16, 1918 (40 Stat. 1012). Exclusion with deportation of alien anarchists, communists, etc. THE ITALIAN Government UPON THE PASSAGE OF THE BurnettDILLINGHAM BILL OPENED Government NIGHT SCHOOLS Every immigration law ever enacted has had a direct bearing on international relations, either directly affecting certain fundamental governmental policies or directly dealing with its nationals, and the Act of February 5, 1917, including the literacy test was no exception. During the past, when bills including a literacy clause had been presented to Congress, the Italian government would establish night schools in Italy for the purpose of assisting its people to meet our possible requirements. Italian officials have reported that Italians would walk for miles to attend these schools, but, as soon as a President would veto an immigration act carrying a literacy test, then the attendance would diminish until the schoolrooms were closed for lack of students.47 To meet the educational requirements of this new act, seven hundred and forty-nine evening schools, with about thirty thousand pupils, controlled by the Emigration Department of the Italian Government, were established in different parts of the kingdom for the express purpose of aiding its people who contemplated work in other countries.48 As a result, one member of a family of the same racial characteristics and inheritance as his brothers might be admitted, owing to his ability to read and write, while they, less fortunately situated, might be debarred owing to their lack of any educational advantages. RELATIONS WITH ORIENTAL COUNTRIES OWING TO "LAtitude AND LONGITUDE CLAUSE The practical effect of another section known as the "latitude and longitude" clause is, however, of importance in our relations with the Oriental countries. It effectually bars all Asiatics from emigrating to the United States, except those from certain sections of Southwestern Asia, and those who are not already excluded by the Chinese Exclusion Laws and Treaty and the "Gentlemen's Agreement with Japan." The Japanese Government had formally protested during the 47 Hearings of Committee on Immigration and Naturalization, 67th Cong., Nov. 10, 1921, p. 1003. 48 London Times, June 2, 1921. passage of the Burnett-Dillingham Bill against certain of its provisions on the ground that they contained features discriminatory against the Japanese. The measure was reconsidered, and, in its present form, does not mention Japan and her possessions, but by the adoption of the so-called "latitude and longitude" clause, the Japanese immigrants are excluded if by any chance the Gentlemen's Agreement should be nullified.49 49" The Immigration Problem," by Jenks and Lauck, 1917, pp. 386-8. CHAPTER V INFLUENCE OF LIMITATION OF IMMIGRATION ON OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS The exclusion of Aliens by the Percentage Law compels foreign governments to direct their nationals to other countries. Two antagonistic policies confront United States officials in Europe and much confusion is encountered owing to passport clauses and unsettled boundary lines. Further exclusion measures advocated at recent immigration committee hearings. REPUBLICAN PARTY IN 1920 FAVORS RESTRICTION OF IMMIGRATION TO MAINTAIN STANDARD of Living The Republican platform of 1920, under the caption of "Immigration" proclaims that the Standard of Living and the standard of citizenship of the nation must be preserved, and it is the duty of the Government to further that end. It favors the admission of immigrants whose standards are similar to those under which we live, and announces that the policy of the United States which provides practical exclusion of the Asiatic laborer must be maintained. EDUCATORS AND AUTHORS FAVOR RESTRICTION FOR THE SAME REASONS The author and educator, Henry Pratt Fairchild, discusses the responsibility of the United States in maintaining and raising the standard of living of the masses of the world. He considers that prior to the World War the masses in the United States enjoyed a higher standard of living than was possible in other countries. He recognizes the fact that immigration is "an entirely economic movement which represents a search for a better standard of living." He adds that countries from which come immigrants to the United States have a lower standard of living than similar classes in the United States. He concludes that even relatively |