Mr. President. as a member of the Immigration Committee I would hesitate to discuss any of the provisions of the bill as it passed the Senate. because the chairman of this committee has shown the utmost courtesy to me. and I believe to the entire membership of the committee. I am. however. very much opposed to the new matter that has been inserted In the bill. It may be true. as has been stated. that there is only one. although I believe there are two countries that Issue penal certificates. namely. Italy and Asiatic Turkey. But be that as it may. Mr. President. I believe that this is a very unwise provision. Anyone familiar with the conditions in northern Europe today knows that in all of the north European countries they are. as a rule. very much opposed to the emigration of their young men from those countries. Take Germany. for instance. Will anyone suppose that we would get the splendid citizenship from that country if this provision is left in the bill? Within six months it will bar out every male German and Scandinavian of the age for military service. as Germany. which does not desire the emigration of its young men. will be glad to take advantage of this provision. As to Italy. it puts it in the power of the mayors of the cities of Italy to issue certificates to their least desirable. and the bill provides no way of authenticating these certificates. But. above these considerations. the bill puts into the hands of European nations the right to say which of their citizens or subjects shall come to us.
Identified stereotypes
Germans and Scandinavians will be barred due to military service requirements.