E XODUS FROM AMERICA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 22, 21 October 1919, Page 8

E XODUS FROM AMERICA

A striking development of tho new phases of emigration which is sending the middle classes of Central Europe overseas. and settling the working classes more firmly in their home lands, is two fact that several millions of the European working classes .who had emigrated 1" the United States before, the war, because the conditions in their own countries offered so little attraction for them, are arranging to leave tihe- United States and return to their native countries in Europe, states a London correspondent. This unexpected stream of emigration to Europe has already reached considerable volume, as the shipping accommodation from America to Europe is not congested by the repatriation of troops. About 200,000 of these returning emigrants have already left America, and it has been estimated by the American Department of Labour that the number arranging to return to Europe is not far short of &OOO.COO. For tlho most part, these emigrants, who arrived in America a few years ago in an impoverished state, are leaving "with substantial savings. Mixed emotions hare been aroused in America by this exodus. The average American does not like the idea" that any country in Europe-has more to offer to down-trhdden democracy than bis own. On the other hand, he is not sorry to see a reduction of the foreign element in America's population. It has been estimated that over G.000.M0 of the emigrants America welcomed in the years before tihe war jire not yet able to write English. and 2,000.080 of them are, unable to speak it. Social reformers in America welcomo the exodus, for the foreign element in tho grw.t cities lias been slowin accepting the American standards of living and comfort. labour organisers welcome if, for it means a substantial roiluctio'i in the p'ipply of chei'ip labour for employers. It is viewed a.pprensively by employers, for liliey were looking forward to a plentiful simply of labour to develop American trade while the industries of Tiuropean countries are recovering from the effects of the, war. The limitation of Ihe supply of labour in America will add to the industrial strife between employers r.'id workers, and place a powerful weapon in the hands of labour organisations which aim pt better conditions and 'higher wages. There is 110 hope for American employers in a revival of cnngrr.tinn from Europe which was suspended by the war. The causes which arc attrecting emigrants from America lo their native countries will keep the European working classes in their own lands.