DURING the war there has been much speculation as to what America might expect in the way of immigration in the future. With the advent of the thousands knocking at the doors of Ellis Island for admission, a renewed interest in the problem of immigration has been aroused in this country and Congress is now considering ways and means of securing a breathing spell in order that some constructive policy may be reached. With the close of the war the agitation against the Japanese on the Pacific Coast has been renewed and in November last, California passed a very drastic law with reference to the leasing and selling of land which may perhaps invite international complications. Meantime, during the war our immigration laws were suspended-by what authority seems a bit uncertainand the Mexicans were permitted to enter freely. It has seemed, therefore, to the Editors of THE ANNALS that a volume discussing present-day conditions would be most timely.

Inasmuch as the Japanese question, because of its international complications, is in many ways the most important of the immigration topics, particular attention has been paid to it. The writers, chosen because of their knowledge of the subject, were invited to express their own opinions and have in no sense entered into a debate. For the convenience of the reader, however, I have attempted to classify the articles and on pages 16 to 55 will be found the papers in which the presence of the Japanese is considered a peril to the country and in which, therefore, a greater degree of exclusion and more drastic regulation here are

advocated; while on pages 55 to 120 will be found papers taking a more favorable view of the situation and inclined to deprecate any discriminatory legislation or treatment. I commend a careful reading of these various articles to all who are interested. It is perhaps proper for me to state that the United States Census figures published since these articles were written report a Japanese increase in California of 28,840 as over against the 45,927 claimed by the report of the State Board of Control.

Three papers dealing with the immigration of Mexicans will be found on pages 121 to 133 and the attention of those interested is directed to the fact that in Miss Baughman's article (page 161) will be found further reference to the Mexicans.

In the closing section of the volume effort has been made to present some of the underlying factors involved in the translation of foreigners into Americans and while I must not comment on individual articles, I may suggest that the general reader will find a viewpoint somewhat new presented by Professor Miller, who emphasizes the importance of psychological reactions of people who have lived under repression. Miss Kellor strikes a new note in immigration discussion. The Academy considers itself fortunate in having a constructive article with reference to our control of immigration presented by so able a man Mr. Jessup. I am sure that these papers will prove of value to those who are helping to shape our future policy.

CARL KELSEY.

Univ. of Pennsylvania.

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