THE UNITED AMERICAN
NOVEMBER, 1923
Ratio of Naturalization Among Some Immigrant Nationalities
P IGURES ARE not generally very interesting, but
some of the figures compiled on a basis of accu­
rate statistics, reveal at times subjects calling for
careful consideration and study.
By consulting the United States census for 1920
we find the immigrant listings, by nationalities, and
also the number of each nationality having taken out
citizenship in America.
An Eastern contemporary presents a table showing
the ratio of naturalization among thirteen nationali­
ties of immigrated people. While incomplete, as many
nationalities are not included, the table, which fol­
lows, is exceedingly interesting and furnishes some
concrete facts which ought to be considered when
nationalities as a whole are the subject of discussion:
1
Czecho-Slovakians
is
No. over 21
335,330
180,798
140,015
140,896
1,648,884
353,792
1,408,933
155,596
127,642
348,885
1,048,050
1,211,337
605,549
No.
Naturalized
158,335
127,539
58,875
82,730
1,213,451
106,183
419,713
38,816
33,233
238,032
302,635
509,561
423,692
Per
Cent
44.2
70.5
42.0
58.9
73.5
30.0
29.0
24.8
26.0
68.2
28.8
42.0
69.9
The Germans, on the isis of the se figures, have
acquitted themselves admirably in the decade of 1910
o 1920. They evidently held an allegiance to Uncle
lam of greater significance than their old allegiance
o the former kaiser. This record, no matter how it
s interpreted, should have some bearing in the face
f the wholesale indictment of all foreign bom Ger-
nans, which thoughtless native Americans indulge in,
ven now, long after the war and long since the peace
reaty with Germany was signed by America. The
pirit of peace is generally understood to carry with
; a generous measure of good will. Whether we, be-
ond a figure of speech, are capable of delivering good
ill or not, may be justly questioned, in view of our
)eech and actions at large, which our fellow citizens
? German birth can not fail to take notice of. There
ere many misguided and unAmerican Germans to
*al with during the war, but their number was insig-
ficant compared with the number whose loyalty to
te land of their adoption was at all times unques-
med in the face of suspicion and oftentimes openly
pressed hostility.
Next after the Germans, whose naturalization ratio
ads the list with 73.5 per cent of their immigrant
im'ber over twenty-one years of age, or a total of
¡13,451 naturalized, out of 1,648,884 listed as
reign born Germans, comes the Danes with a ratio
70.5 per cent or 127,539 naturalized out of 180,798
ted as foreign born. The Swedes come in a close
rd with a ratio of 69.9 per cent or 423,692 natur-
?ed out of 605,549 listed as foreign born. Fourth
this procession are the Norwegians with a ratio of
2 per cent, or 238,032 naturalized out of a total of
348,885 listed as foreign born. The barometer then
falls considerably. The French come in with 58.9 per
cent. The Czecho-Slovakians come in with 44.2 per
cent ; the Finns and the Russians each with 42.0 per
cent and the figures continue to fall until the Jugo­
slavs ratio of 24.8 per cent has 'been reached.
HONORING ANOTHER FOREIGN BORN CITIZEN
THE BOSTON Society of Natural History recently
awarded the $1000 Walker prize to Dr. Leonard
Steinegger, director of the biological section of the
National Museum at Washington, for long and faith­
ful service covering a span of forty-two years. He
has taken part in many scientific expeditions, and is
the author of a number of treatises on subjects
within his field of activity.
Dr. Stejnegger was 'born in Bergen, Norway, in
1851. He studied law at the University of Chris­
tiania, but after graduation he followed his natural
bent and took up the pursuit of the sciences, never
having had any great love for the legal profession.
Upon arriving in the United States he soon found
an opportunity to show his ability. In the field of
science he has proven a valuable contribution to the
new homeland.
When King George Leaves Buckingham palace he is joined
by a small squad of Scotland Yard officials, who remain with
him until his return. Probably it pays to play safe.
IIHIIIIHIIIIHIIIIIIIIIHIIIHIIIIIIIIIIliilflllllllllllHIIIIIIIIIIIIItlllllllllillllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllillllllllllHIIIIIIHIIiltllillllllllllHH
Do It Now!
rpHE MODERATE prices of our new
* furniture prove that art and ability
may be successfully combined. Now is
a good time to choose furniture for the
winter—and the winters to come.
Jlllllllllllllllllltllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllfllllllllllllllllllllllllulllllllllllllllllllllllliflll
Place Your Orders With The United American Advertisers—and Tell Them Why