Chapter 30

IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION

[1907]

Since the organization of our government nearly 29,000,000 foreigners have come to the United States. The flow of immigration first assumed large proportions during the decade 1831-1840 and since that time one wave after another has reached our shores. The last one, and the one which has caused the greatest alarm, gathered force about 1897 and reached its full tide in the first decade of the twentieth century, when over 8,000,000 aliens landed at our ports.

During this period (1820-1910) the character of immigration has changed. Prior to 1880 the greater part of it came from northern Europe, but since that time the number has constantly fallen off, and the flow from southern Europe has greatly increased. During the decade 1871-1880 Austria-Hungary, Italy, and Russia sent only 181,000 of 2,262,000 aliens who landed in the United States--about eight per cent. During the decade 1901-1910, 8,130,000 immigrants came to our shores, and of these 5,800,000, or over 70 per cent, were from these three countries. In 1901 Austria-Hungary sent, 113,400; in 1907 about 338,500, but owing to the passage of the immigration law in 1907 the number fell abruptly, but by 1910 had again increased to 260,000. The same is true of Italy. In 1901 about 136,000 came; in 1907 nearly 286,000, and in 1910 about 215,500. Russia sent 85,000 in 1901, some 260,000 in 1907, and 187,000 in 1910. The numbers from northern Europe do not approach these. The immigration from the British Isles does not reach the 100,000 mark; from Germany only 30,000 come yearly.

Causes for this influx are varied. Many come desirous of owning homes, a pleasure out of reach in their home country on account of high prices. Free institutions attract others. A land which offers free schools to all regardless of race or creed, religious freedom, and the opportunity to play some part in the political life of the state is naturally attractive. Some come to escape military service, others with the idea of making money and returning to their native land. Density of population and the accompanying excessive competition in the struggle for existence also play a part.

Hundreds of letters telling of the general prosperity in America and contrasting this with the condition at home, do their work with the disheartened peasants. It is said that half of our immigrants come on tickets paid for by friends in America. The large employers of labor, and even the States themselves, are constantly calling for laborers. Ours is a huge, half-developed country, and the development of our resources, particularly the coal and iron industries, the cotton; rice, cane, and tobacco industries, and the railways demands thousands of helpers.

TOTAL NUMBER OF IMMIGRANTS, 1891 TO 1910

Year Total Sex Age Ended Number Male Female Under 14 14 to 45 45 and over June 30 1891 560,319 354,059 296,200 95,879 405,843 58,597 1892 623,084 385,781 237,303 89,167 491,839 42,078 1893 502,917 315,845 187,072 57,392 419,701 25,824 1894 314,467 186,247 128,220 41,755 258,162 14,550 1895 279,948 159,924 120,024 33,289 233,543 13,116 1896 343,267 212,466 130,801 52,741 254,519 36,007 1897 230,832 135,107 95,725 38,627 165,181 27,024 1898 229,299 135,775 93,524 38,267 164,905 26,127 1899 311,715 195,277 116,438 43,983 248,187 19,545 1900 448,572 304,148 144,424 54,624 370,382 23,566 1901 487,918 331,055 156,863 62,562 396,516 28,840 1902 648,743 466,369 182,374 74,063 539,254 35,426 1903 857,046 613,146 243,900 102,431 714,053 40,562 1904 812,870 549,100 263,770 109,150 657,155 46,565 1905 1,026,499 724,914 301,585 114,668 855,419 56,412 1906 1,100,735 764,463 336,272 136,273 913,955 50,507 1907 1,285,349 927,976 355,373 138,344 1,100,771 46,234 1908 782,870 506,912 275,958 112,148 630,671 40,051 1909 751,786 519,969 231,817 88,393 624,876 38,517 1910 1,041.570 736,038 305,532 120,509 868,310 52,751

Debarred Returned Returned Able to Read Unable to from Within Within but not Write Read or Write Landing One Year Three Years [See note 1] [See note 1]

1892 2,164 637 1893 1,053 577 59,582 61,038 1894 2,389 417 16,784 41,614 1895 2,394 189 2,612 42,302 1896 2,799 238 5,066 78,130 1897 1,617 263 1,572 43,008 1898 3,030 199 1,416 43,057 1899 3,798 263 1,022 60,446 1900 4,246 356 2,097 93,576 1901 3,516 363 3,058 117,587 1902 4,974 465 2,917 162,188 1903 8,769 547 3,341 185,667 1904 7,994 300 473 3,953 168,903 1905 11,879 98 747 8,209 230,882 1906 12,371 61 615 4,755 265,068 1907 13,064 70 925 5,829 337,573 1908 10,902 114 1,955 2,310 172,293 1909 10,411 58 2,066 2,431 191,049 1910 24,270 23 2,672 4,571 253,569

Note 1: Prior to 1895 the figures are for persons over 16 years; from 1895 to 1910 for persons 14 years of age and over.

The question of Oriental immigration has caused much comment in our Pacific Coast States for several years. Before 1900 the total number of Japanese coming to America seldom reached 1,500 a year. Since that time about 12,000 have come each year, except in 1903 when 20,000 came and 1907 when the number reached 30,000. Seventy per cent of this number, however, went to Hawaii. Over-population and economic depression in their native land have caused this exodus. Most of these immigrants are laborers--skilful, energetic and efficient--who apparently desire to become citizens. Among the better classes are many who have attained eminence in various lines of work in our country. In scientific investigation the names of Takamine, Noguchi, Yatsu, Takami, Asakawa, and Iyenaga are well known. The names of those who have been more than ordinarily successful in business would make a long list. The most serious objections to the Japanese arise in the coast States where these immigrants have raised a serious labor problem. The people of these commonwealths also fear a race problem which in gravity will rival the one in the Southern States. It is claimed that even now, when the number of Orientals is small, the enforcement of law is exceedingly difficult in the Chinese quarters, while the control of the Japanese is next to impossible since they do not congregate in certain sections of the cities as do the Chinese. It is claimed that the 2,000,000 whites who live on the Pacific Coast will be swamped and lose control of the government if this Oriental immigration is not entirely prohibited. The Chinese do not cause so much anxiety. Since the passage of the exclusion