Despatch from H.M. Ambassador at Washington Reporting on Conditions at Ellis Island Immigration Station. Presented to Parliament by Command of His Majesty
London: Printed & Published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1923. First edition. Softcover. Small thin quarto. 12pp. White staple-bound printed wrappers, with black lettering and the printer's device of His Majesty's Stationery Office on the front cover. In this fascinating report from British Ambassador to America Sir Auckland Campbell Geddes (1879-1954), he reflects and gives his impressions of the state of the immigration process at Ellis Island, in New York, which he was invited to visit on Dec. 28th 1922. He impressions are ultimately mostly negative, with the author criticizing the overcrowding, some of the physical planning of the space and the state of cleanliness and disrepair of some of the facilities. Of special note is the ambassador's perspective when it comes to the Jewish immigrants, who he recommends segregating into their own immigration facility, for their own Kosher food and other administrative requirements. These controversial statements regarding Jews seem to be made in the context of the sheer numbers of Jewish immigrants in the system, however it is unclear from the text if their are true anti-Semitic sentiments at play. The second to last page of the document outlines 12 specific recommendation from the author regarding improvements. In summation Geddes' ultimate conclusion is that while there definitely many improvements that could be made to the facilities and planning of Ellis Island, it cannot ultimately be compared to the immigration systems of other countries, because the nature and sheer number of people is incomparable to anywhere else. It is interesting to note that this report came not long before the American immigration system radically changed with the passing of the Immigration Act of 1924 (or the Johnson–Reed Act), which applied significant immigration quotas. Save for a few minor creases and smudges, the document is in beautiful condition. Wrappers and interior in very good+ condition overall. Wrappers protected in modern mylar. Quite scarce. vg+. Item #51248
Alternate title: United States No.2 (1923)
The final page contains a detailed menu of items served to the immigrants at the Ellis Island dining room.
Price: $650.00