Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-21
REFoRMERs IN AFRICA.
A Social Community 10 he Started An
African WiIds.

From the Philadelphia Times.
1t viii not be surprising II, in a few
months, a fresh disaster in Africa 10 M
nounced. Fifteen men who have never been
there have started for the wilderness of
Central Africa for the sole purpose OF test
ir.g the economic theories set forth in Prof
Theodor Hetzka's book. "Freeland." These
enthusiastic young men imagine that they
are going TO found an ideal community,
but all who know the conditions they will
meet fear that before a year has passed
trouble and suffering will oVerN helm their
brightest hopes and all who are left OF
them viii be glad 10 get home again.
1t is a remarkable spectacle. To test a
new social theory, these men are plunging
into savage district where no white COL
onists have ever been. They hope to take
steamboat far up the Tana river, only
once thus assembled. and then with the
greatest difficulty. They expect 10 settle
down beside powerful native tribes, noted
for their treacherous and unfriendly char
acter. In fact every step OF their way
is new and experimental. Ike their theory.
and not only hardships but dangers also
viii environ them.
Details Of the scheme.
The pioneer expedition. numbering fifteen
men. Austrians. Germans and English. left
Hamburg on the last day Of February for
the mouth of the Tana river in East Africa
Their leader. DR.. julius Wilhelm. had start
ed three weeks earlier. The steamship on
which they embarked carried a small
steamer of twenty horse power for service
on the Tana- Each member Of the party
mad paid $50 for his passage from Ham
burg TO Hargazo Falls. about $50 miles up
the river. The equipment including an
ample supply of Mannlicher rifles. was
purchased with funds contributed by about
thirty societies founded in Europe 10 help
Dr. Hetzka start his new colony in Africa
About forty more pioneers expect TO go out
this season.
DIR. Hetzka has filled a large volume with
the details of the theory whose practice
bility he now desires to test il will suffice
here TO indicate some of it's broader fea-
lures. The large amount OF land that has
been ceded by the British East Africa Com
pany cannot be owned by individuals. but
is TO be the property of the community.
No rent viii be charged for the land. The
improvements made on the land are the
property of the community, those persons
making them being recompenSed therefor.
The community viii be divided into associa-
tons, each of which will carry on its par
ucular industry, such agriculture cloth
making lumber manufacturer and so on.
The productions OF every sort viii belong
10 the community, and the necessaT1es OF
life will be distributed from the community
storehouses. The surplus of all produce,
after the wants Of the community have
been supplied. will he sold TO the outside
on the total years work viii be distributed
among the people in proportion TO the work
each person has done. In this way the
members of the community may accumu-
late private possessions to be4ueath 70
their children, but houses and lands VIII
not be among them. A community fund
will be accumulated to tide the people over
bad years. There are many novel features,
including a bank that will loan money
without interest