gh the colonists had wanted to. Only in a few
cases did their own neglect seem to be a cause for their not being
naturalized.

The following field notes of the writer, taken at random, illustrate
the situation in regard to the knowledge of English and the
naturalization of the settlers in the immigrant colonies.

Italian colony, Canastota, New York. Writer's observations:

A large number of the men spoke very little English. The women did
not speak English at all. All the children spoke English.

Statement by their leader, a storekeeper:

The settlers have organized an "American-Italian Citizens' Club."
All the Italian voters, 117 in number, belong to this club. The
purpose of the club is to educate Italians in citizenship and to
assist them in becoming naturalized. There are about 250
unnaturalized Italians of voting age. Two causes have kept them
from naturalization: first, their ignorance; second, the red tape
of the procedure. Seventy-five per cent of the adults are
illiterate; 50 per cent of them do not understand English; only
about 25 per cent of the adults write and read English.

Portuguese colony, Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Statement by the priest:

Seventy per cent of the adults understand English; 50 per cent
speak English; 10 per cent speak and write English; about 80 per
cent are illiterate, not only in English, but in their own language
as well. The lack of education and culture of the adults is the
main obstacle in the way of their becoming Americans. For promotion
of Americanization, settlers should learn English and American ways
of life--attend evening schools.

Statement of a native storekeeper:

The only trouble with these Portuguese is that they lack even
elementary education. The vast majority do not know how to read and
write even in their own language. As a result, quite a number of
families live in dirt in their homes, and these are a source of
danger in the spreading of disease. I do not believe that school
would help these old people, for they never have been in any school
and it would be very hard to teach them anything. The only hope is
in the second and future generations.

Russian sectarian peasant colony, San Francisco, California. Statement
by one of their leaders:

Five per cent have second papers; from 30 to 40 per cent have first
pape