22 MAY 1897, Page 15

THE GERMAN EMIGRATION BILL.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The importance you ascribe to this measure is scarcely borne out by facts and possibilities. If no other ports were open to intending emigrants than German ports, the Imperial authorities might, as you suggest, be enabled "to restrict emigration when labour grows dear, and direct it into such channels as they please." But so long as wanderers can embark at Antwerp, Flushing, and Ostend (all more accessible from South Germany than Hamburg and Bremen), as well as at London and Liverpool, the principal result of enforcing the regulations in question would be to favour foreign at the expense of German shipping.—I am, Sir, &c.,