The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-05-30
THE PROPHETS PEOPLE
Disciples of Mahomet Coming to
the United States.
WILL FORM A COLONY IN THE SOUTH

An American Convert Is Acting AS Agent
For u Great Migration From India-Pco-
ple Who VIII Bring Wealth and Good
citizenship With Their Peculiar Religion.
NEW YORK, May 29.-It transpires that
Alexander Russell Webb, the United
States consul who four years ago en-
braced the religion of Mohammed and who
represents the Mohammetlans i'm the
United States, has returned to this coun-
try for other reasons than those he has al
ready stated. Hisdignified presensation OF
the tenetS of his new religion has attracted
much attention. Many will now be sur
prlsed who have heard him say only that
his mission here is propagation of that re-.
llSion to learn that he is also the agent of
rich worshippers of Northumberland
to obtain land for colony. In
nh interview Mr.. Webb confirmed this
statement, while regretting that it must
become public before certain negotiations
with landowners has been completed
MIR. Webb states that II large number of
Mohammedans are planning to emigrate
from India to the United States and that
they will probably form colonies in several
of the southern states. For some weeks
past Mr.. Webb has been in communication
with large propcrtyholdcrs south, notably
In Georgia and Florida. He is acting un-
der the authority of many of the most
prominent and wealthy Mohammetlans in
India. He has secured figures on large
strips of land and has already reported
these prices to a syndicate of Mohammed-
ans who are, from religious and financial
motives, interested i'll the movement.
No Doubt of Their Coming.
MIR. Webb has no doubt that the colonies
VIII actually be established. During his
life among the Mohammedans he has
found, he says, that they are extravaganza
admirers of the United States, and the
majority would, he thinks, be glad to be-
como American citizens Many Moham-
medans have told him that they have long
cherished the idea of emigrating to this
country, but that they have hesitated
because there is no established colony here
The subject of coming to America"
said Mr. Webb. "has been discussed by
Mohammedans in India for number of
years. India has 2S0, 000, 900 people, You
know, and yet it is but one-fourth the size
of the United States. There are in India
alone &c, 000, 600 Mohammetlans and these
include the better class of residents They
are anxious to become American citizens,
especially as a man here is free to follow
any religion he pleascs
The Mohamme,lans pray five times n
feet. Naturally they could do this with
comfort only i'll a warm climate Hence,
when the desire to come to America took
definite form, rs it has done, they thought
only OF the warmcSt part of the country
They uo not propose to abandon their re-
ligon, which they regard as far superior to
the Christian religion. From that feeling
grew the negotiations with the owners of
southern properties. Americans who may
observe their habits when they do come
here will find Mohammedans eat no pork
or beef nor anything that is killed except
in the name of God. They will he found
never to drink liquors.
Negotiations For Land.
81 am in negotiation" said Mr.. Webb.
with responsible men for the purchase of
large tracts of land in Jacksonville, Pen
sacola and Augusta, and in Alabama. The
sellers understand the purpose to which
the land will be put and say that the
neighbors will probably offer no objections
whatever. The rich men in the move
mcnt have already pledged themselves to
assist financially i'll the purchase of land.
Americans will not find the Mohammetlans
to be beggars or charity seekers, but on the
contrary valuable workmcn in many i'll
dustries.
Our plans have gone so far as the prep
aration of plans for the laying out of the
towns and farms. have secured for such
purposes an option of $4,000 acres in
Georgia, and on seven or eight other tracts
equally as large.
The immigrants will, of course, pur-
chase all their farming implements, cattle
and other necessities here, and they ought
to make thoroughly good citizens. You
may say that another syndicate of Mo
haInmedans are negotiating to run Il line
of steamers between here and Bombay.
and in this way the transportation of Mo-
hammedans to the United States will be
greatly facilitated.
Great Numbers Coming.
1T is, of course. impossible to say at this
time how many Mohammcdans will come
here at first, but feel assured that after
the first company of 800 or 900 have
been here a short time, another company
of about the same number will come.
believe that within five years there will be
about 1000 active, able bodied NIrssemens
settled in the first colony.
1.-The Musselman is invariably sober and
Industrious and is usually honest and
truthful. He will make model citizen if
he is allowed the same privileges as other
American citizens. In coming here these
people do not intend To abandon their edu-
cational ideas. They will make liberal ex.
penditures for schools"
Mr.. Webb said in conclusion that he
would not be the final purchaser of the
lands The negotiations will be completed
10y committee representing the syndicate
and of this committee he is 81 member