The sun., 1894-03-25
Baron Hirsch's Colonists.

Among great philanthropic enterprises
the efforts Of Baron HIRscH to improve the
| condition Of the suffering Jews of Russia
| will be remembered with admiration. About
three years ago he set aside an enormous
| sum OF money for planting colonies of
them in lands where they might be free
from persecution. He had faith In these un-
fortunate people. and believed that, with
help at the start. they would pay for their
new homes in time. and become indepen-
dent and prosperous. A few OF his colonists
have been sent to North America, but most
OF them are In Argentina. Many persons
predicted that the enterprise would fail, for
1t was proposed to make farmers OF towns
people who knew nothing OF agriculture,
but had earned scanty living as small
merchants. peddlers. and craftsmen. It is
gratifying to learn, from the valuable re-
port OF the British Vice-Cousul at Buenos
Ayres. that the colonists are thriving. and
that Baron HIRsCH seems to have settled
the problem OF placing an urban popuace
in agricultural districts.
The area OF fertile lands thus far pur-
chased by Baron HIRscH's agents amounts
to 567 square miles. most OF which Is In the
province OF Entire Rios. north OF the city of
Buenos Ayres. The Rio do Ia Plata forms
tho eastern boundary OF the province. Other
lands have been secured In the provinces OF
Buenos Ayres and Santa Fe. The highest
priced unimproved lands have been secured,
for Baron HIRscH decided that oil the colo
nists should be settled within easy reach Of
markets by the transportation lines already
established. Produce from the farms may
be easily taken to the Plata steamboats,. or
to completed railroads.
At the beginning Of the present year the
colonists numbered $500 people, and %. 2.2OO,-
600 had. thus far. been expended. 1t has
been found that families succeed much bet
ter than single persons. Over GOO persons
have been sent back to Europe as worthless
members OF pioneer enterprise. Each
family, on arriving at Its future home,
receives 100 acres OF land. eight TO twelve
oxen and cows. two ploughs. two harrows,
a house. and ample food supplies until a
crop can be raised. Though the members
OF the oldest colony have been In the coun-
try only two years and half they have
already raised fine crop OF wheat. Last
year there were 7.250 acres In wheat alone.
besides large area devoted to other crops.
Tho value OF the wheat was Sl6O.OOO. even at
the prevailing low prices. Three-fourths
OF the entire crop was retained by the pro-
ducers. the remainder being appropriated
by the association as first payment on the
expensive machinery provided for cultiva-
tion. At the close OF each crop year 1t will
DO decided what payments the colonists
can AFFORD to make for that year on the
money advanced in their behalf. Local
self-government is introduced as fast as
the colonies are fairly settled and under
stand their surroundings.
For the present. at least. Baron HIRsoH
intends TO devote all moneys received from
the colonists TO the purchase OF new lands
for the use OF fresh arrivals from Europe.
Colonization committees have been formed
all over Russia to select the most deserving |
Jews for emigration. The Russian Govern !
ment is furthering the enterprise. and Baron
HRscH believes the colonization movement
Is already great success, and that many |
thousands OF Russian Jews. in the near |
future. will join their friends In Argentina.
Baron HIRsCH Is not only bringing deIiy-
erance to many Of his brethren, but he has
proved that urban Jews may be successfully
attached to the soil, fact that has been
and also that he can help them
without pauperizing them. Though he Is
spending millions in the enterprise, no col
onist is permitted to think that he receives
= cent as gratuity. He may have all the
Time he needs to pay the debt, but the OBJ
igation remains until it is wiped out by the
,olonist's own efforts. The world will an
plRud Baron HIRsOH all the more because
ais philanthropy. while helpful. Is not de-
noralizing.