BARRING THE WAY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 280, 20 August 1921, Page 8

BARRING THE WAY

NEW IMMIGRATION LAW IN U.S;A. HUNGARIAN COUNT HELD UP In a recent interview, Air. T. M. Wilford, M.P., referred to the new immigration restriction law in tho United States. How that law is acting may be gathered from the following article which appeared in the "New York Telegram" as late as July 13: —

‘‘Consternation ran wild to-day when 371 of the 1004 passengers on tho Cunard Line steamship Mauretania were told by immigration officials that they would not be allowed, to land because of the new immigration restrictions. Maliy titled and prominent foreigneis were held up and several kept aboard the liner because of the new ruling. Those who were refused permission to land wore citizens of countries whose immigration quota had been exceeded. It was found later, however, by immigration offiicals in Washington that Britain’s quota for Juno still held a balance in favour of that country, and eight British subjects at first ordered to be returned to their own country were allowed to land.

Among those who were held up for a time was Count Ladzlo Szechenyi, titled husband of Gladys Vanderbilt, and v Hungarian nobleman. The visitors, some of them residents of the United States for years, but who have neglected tho formality of taking out the citizenship papers, ran foul of the new immigration ruling long before the huge liner docked. When informed it would be impossible to allow them to land without special permission from Washington many were highly indignant. Their indignation and 'lirethreats dirt not move the immigration officials an iota and many still are angrily pacing the lounge, and salons of the liner.

Among til# most explosive ioreigners forced to stick by the ship by the ruling of tho immigration officials was Michael Fokine, world-famous Russian dancer, and his wife. Although both the dancers at first begged and pleaded, then threatened and resorted to every known method of changing ilio decision of the immigration inspectors, those stolid individuals remained adamant, and the dancers and their rxms were prevented from stepping down tho gang-planit. Count Szechenyi nt first took the inspection bv the immigration men more as a joke'. He ceased, laughing, however, when, after looking nt his passport, the officials told him flatly that he must remain on the ship and return at once io Hungary. This decision was rsic'hed when the officials decided Hungary's quota of visitors for July had long ago exceeded. "T am coining here to make my home with my wife,” exploded tho count. "That makes no difference," answered a tolcmn-faccd official. "The quota of vour country has been exceeded greatly and the new ruling slates l ,la " 11 £ that once the country’s quota is rtoched (he entering of further subjects of that country must stop.” "Suppose I promise that I am here merely for a short visit?” asked the C ’" U case you will be allowed to land,” he was told and } n9 ,, s ® I,6 th ' turned. He said. ”P° n Ending, that be really intended to stay but a few weeks, and would, of .course, keep his nerd to the immigration officials. Janies M. Barnes, golf champion and instructor at the Pelham Country' Club, always thought to be an American citizen, also was among those held up and to'd he could not land. It developed he had only taken out his first papers end still is a British subject. He was later allowed to land. t Others who were refused permission to land for a time were Robert J Gilchrist, a widely-known cotton broker of Wall Street, who. has been living in America for years, but who never has become a citizen. He married a prominent Savannah (Ga.) society girl some time ago. His American wife was with him, and she, too, was kept from landing. Arthur J. M'Allister, a cotton buyer, with offices in the United States, but who still is a British subject, also was held for a short time.

Leoni J. Calvocoressi. a Greek, with a home at No. 383 West End Avenue, Manhattan, also was refused admittance with' his wife and three children. He claimed ho had lived there for years, but he was reminded he never had become an American citizen.

Another British subject held temporarily was Edward A. Rice, a big business man with offices both here and in England.

Tho immigration officials pre literally "up ill the air” over the tenseness of the situation. The White Star Line steamship Olympic is ready to dock and will make her way in as soon as the fog lifts, and it is expected that many more scones like on the Mauretania will be gone through. Officials are awaiting anxiously official word from Washington as to what they shall do in like cases.