Speech #670043067

In addition.. all the world affected by the act was charged with knowledge that it was approved by the President May 19. and in force after June 2. The Governments of Europe. including those affected. knew it. The correspondence between the Italian Government and Secretary Hughes proves that that Government knew it. and that it was in touch with the steamship lines. and knew how many emigrants they were bringing. and that they were in excess of the number admissible. The steamship companies knew it. and admitted that they told the emigrants. Commissioner General Husband testified before the. committee that the steamship people admitted to him that they had presented this very matter to the emigrants themselves. Their knowledge was probably indistinct and confused. but just as clear as is the knowledge of those who have been continuously embarking since June 3. and of those who will continuously embark hereafter. A few of them .will.know distinctly what they are doing. many will know it dimly. as these did. but they will continue to come. bringing a mixture of ignorance and contempt. and finding that they can trample upon the law at the threshold. will have an increased disposition to say. "Damn the United States.! " which these latterday immigrants have often been heard to say when slightly crossed in their desire to rush into our abumdance. regardless of our feeble restraints