The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-30
ahe 0aieha 1ailu eagle TUESDAY 5oriue 9fau ao 1888

syndicate Of Aiohammedans who are, from
religious and financial motives, interested
in the movement Mr.. Webb has no
doubt that the colonies will actually oe
est5 blished The Mohammedans, be says,
are eXtravagant admirers OF the I nited
States, and the majority would, he thinks,
be glad to become American citizens.
Many Mohammedans have told him that
they have long cherished the idea of emf
grating to this country, but they have
hesitated because there is no established
colony here. 1t has been easy tor the peo-
pie of almost every other nation to take
passage to America, because churches ana
colonies of the same race are Already mere,
with welcome and limitless information
to give the newcomers about the means OF
esrning living. India, while numbering
among its people many millions m4 4e than
The United States, is only One-quarter the
size of this country, This fact. in connec-
tlon with the burdens OF the government
under which Mohammedans live and the
rights guaranteed by our constitution,
forms the principal reason why the
MOhammedanS have determined lafsel9
to leave their country.
"The idea of the wealthier and more
prominent Mohammelans is, said Mr.
Webb, ''to form in every town IN the
United States circles to study the NJ domain
medan religion The primary purpose Is
not, however, TO secure converts, pat 10
soften the prejudice Of Christians IN Amer
lea against the great religion Of the Indies
Already three of these circles have been
established two in New York City aud one
in Woodbridge, \. J. Charters have been
applied for by these societies, and 1t Is be-
lIeved that many more circles WEI De
shortly in operation. There seems 20 ne
such fair and honorable reception al
ready accorded to that religion that the
colonization plans have been hastened ana
the contemplated purchases of lands IS
simply the taking OF time by the forelcck.
81 am in negotiation with responsible
men for the purchase of large tracts OF
land near Jacksonville, Pensacola and
Augusta and in Alabama The sellers
understand the purpose to which the iand
will be put and say that the neighbors
will probably offer no objections whatever.
have so reported to the syndicate with
which | am acting. The rich men in the
movement have already pledged them
selves to assist financially il the purchase
Of land. That is to say, they will advance
the money on long time notes. Americans
will not find the MohammedanS to be beg
gars or charity-seekers, but, on the con-
trary, valuable wOrkmen in many indus
tries Our plans have gone so far as the
preparation of plans for the laying out OF
towns and farms. | have secured an OPP
tion on 5SSS acres in Georgia and in seven
or eight other states tracts equally as
large
You mag be sure that the Mohammed
ans viii earn Their own living III America.
They viii depend principally upon the
products Of the soil For that reason esti-
mates are being secured on ricn and fertile
lands Comm Jtees Will be sent from
India to inspect the lands here, and then
bargains Will be closed.
ut is, of course, impossible TO say atthis
time how many Mohammedans will come
here at first, but it is assured that after
the first company of 800 or 600 have been
here short time, another company of
a bout the same number will come. | be-
lieve that within five years there will be
about !. eco active, able bodied Musselmen
settled in the first colony. My impression
is that the first company will come by the |
first steamer on the new line from Bombay |
to New York II is difficult at this time
to fix definite date for the arrival of the |
first colony, but think that will be set |
lied Immediately after the land is pur- |
chased The actual expenditures for lands |
for the first colony will be about Sl00,0 900, |
but, of course there will be other large !
sums for all other kinds Of necessaries of !
life"
Mr. Webb said said in conclusion that he |
would not be the final purchaser of the |
lands. The negotiations will be completed |
by a committee representing the syndicate, |
and Of that committee he is a member.