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continental United States, or from one group to another, was prohibited, altho moving from island to island of the same group was allowed. Certificates of residence were also required in the insular possessions. This law of 1904 is still in force.

Legislation Relative to Japanese Laborers

During 1906 the question of Japanese immigration became acute, and the Pacific States demanded exclusion legislation for the Japanese of the same sort as existed for the Chinese. This was finally settled in the passport provision inserted in the immigration law of February 20, 1907. This provision authorized the President to refuse admission to any aliens making use of passports to the insular possessions, to the Canal Zone, or to any other country than the United States, in order to gain admission to the continental United States. The President, in his proclamation of March 14, 1907, availed himself of this provision, and excluded "Japanese or Korean laborers, skilled or unskilled, who have received passports to go to Mexico, Canada, or Hawaii, and come therefrom." To give this full force, an understanding with Japan was reached that the existing policy of discouraging the emigration of her subjects to this country should be continued. This agreement, by which the two governments cooperate to secure an effective enforcement of the regulation, contemplates that the Japanese Government shall issue passports to continental United States only to such of its subjects as are non-laborers, or are laborers who, in coming to the continent, seek to resume a formerly acquired domicile, to join a parent, wife, or children residing

there, or to assume active control of an already possest interest in a farming enterprise in this country.

The California Alien Land-Holding Legislation

In April, 1913, there was introduced into the California legislature a bill restricting rigidly the holding of land, through either purchase or lease, by aliens, and especially by aliens ineligible to citizenship under the United States naturalization laws. The Japanese Government considered that this was aimed especially at the Japanese, and through Viscount Chinda, the Japanese ambassador, earnest protest was made to the United States Government. President Wilson, in consequence, telegraphed Governor Johnson asking that action be delayed until the Secretary of State, Mr. Bryan, could visit California and lay before the legislature the international aspects of the case, hoping that then a law might be framed which would meet the views of the people of the State and still "leave untouched the international obligations of the United States." Accordingly such action was taken. After Secretary Bryan's visit, a new bill was framed which, it was thought, recognized fully the provisions of the treaties existing between Japan and the United States. This bill, however, which shortly afterward became law, was not satisfactory to the Japanese Government and further protests have been made. The question is now (October, 1913) a matter of diplomatic negotiation between the two countries. In Appendix D will be found the text of the California. law.

Since the passage of the California law, one even more drastic has been passed in Arizona. In a num

ber of States laws restricting the holding of land by aliens have been passed. For example, in Washington the ownership of lands by aliens who have not declared their intention to become citizens is prohibited, except when acquired by inheritance, by mortgage, or in the regular course of justice in collecting a debt. This prohibition does not include mineral lands or those necessary for their development. In Wisconsin non-resident aliens can not acquire by purchase more than three hundred and twenty acres. Such laws are common in foreign countries, and no one questions the right of a country to make such restrictions. The special point of objection on the part of the Japanese Government is that the law discriminates especially against Asiatics and, in their judgment, is aimed specifically at the Japanese. Some of the more excitable of the Japanese people have considered this an insult to their nation, as implying inferiority to other peoples, and, in consequence, the matter has assumed much and doubtless undue importance.*

The Administration of the Law

The general administration and supervision of the immigration service has been placed by Congress in the hands of the Commissioner-General of Immigration. His official status is that of a bureau chief in the Department of Labor. Final authority is, of course, vested in the Secretary of the Department. The Commissioner-General is represented at the most important ports of entry by a Commissioner of Immigration, who has charge of the immigrant station and a number of inspectors; in smaller stations an inspector is placed in charge.

*See chapter on Oriental Immigration.

The immigrant station in New York is the largest, and may be taken as representative of the entire system of administration and inspection of incoming aliens. The immigrant inspectors, with the health officials, board incoming vessels carrying aliens. The steerage passengers, together with any aliens in the ship's hospital, are transferred by barges to Ellis Island, the sick aliens being sent to the immigrant hospital. The other aliens are first required to pass in single file before two surgeons of the Marine Hospital Service, who simultaneously make a double examination, one into the general physical condition of the alien, the other for signs of trachoma. If there is any doubt about an immigrant's physical or mental condition, he is detained for a more rigid examination. The women are examined separately by matrons. Any pregnant woman is held for a special examination, on the ground that she is liable to become a public charge.

After the physical test, those who successfully pass are arranged according to the order of their names on the ship's manifests, and are then passed in single file before other inspectors for further examination. These inspectors ask the same questions which the immigrants were required to answer in filling out the manifest for the ship's officers, and make note in red ink of any discrepancies in their replies. The immigrant is also required to show the money he has in his possession. Any persons concerning whose status the inspectors have a doubt, are detained. The others are allowed to pass through the gates, where they can buy tickets to their final destination, or receive assistance in finding relatives and friends.

The aliens who have been detained are required.

to appear before Boards of Special Inquiry, appointed by the Commissioner-General. They consist of three inspectors, the decisions of two being final. An appeal may be taken from these boards to the Commissioner of the port, from him to the CommissionerGeneral, and from the Commissioner-General to the Secretary of Labor. The President may, of course, if he wishes to do so, review any case. The proceedings before the Board of Special Inquiry are private, but a complete copy is made of the record. In case of appeal, the record goes to the Commissioner of the port, and the detained immigrant appears before him in person. After the Commissioner renders his decision, the papers in the case are sent to Washington and placed on file.

Immigrants detained because of special inquiries or appeals, are maintained by the Government at the expense of the steamship companies. Those who are to be deported are held until the vessel on which they came is ready for its return voyage. Diseased aliens are treated in the immigrant hospital on Ellis Island until the time for their return to their native countries. In the case of contagious diseases which are not dangerous, or other curable diseases, when the alien intends joining a husband or wife in this country, he or she is allowed to stay in the hospital until a cure is effected.

INSPECTION ON LAND BORDERS

On the borders of Canada and Mexico, inspectors are placed on all trains entering the United States, at ferries, and near the principal roads, so that proper inspection may be made to exclude disqualified persons. The procedure followed, including the work of

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