24 MARCH 1923, Page 38

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin,—There was a letter

in your issue of March 10th by a gentleman from California, complaining of registration and other inconveniences experienced by Americans in England.

Perhaps, as I see no other reply, you will allow me to say that I think Americans who make these complaints can hardly be aware of the hardships to which English people are subject under American law. Only a certain number (a small percentage of those already in the country) are allowed to land at all, and not then if over the age limit : a man of 55, as the paper reports, was turned back the other day. Even a passport and visa from the American authorities on this side will not ensure the right to land, and any visitor runs the risk of spending some time on Fills Island, herded with the scum of Europe, and after that returned. Even those who ire allowed to land must pay $10 head tax each, and are subject, if they stay, to U.S. taxes. As a member of the English-Speaking Union and a friend of America I should like to see barriers on both sides removed, and I write in no spirit of recrimination, but Americans have certainly no right, in view of the facts, to complain of treatment here.—I am, Sir, &c., ELIERSJIA.W. Common Room, Middle Temple, E.C. 4.