The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-03
TO START RIGHT IN AFRICA.
NEW NEGRO COLONIZATION SCHEME
ON A SMALL BEGINNING.

best BeEion-NeRroes to Start From the
West Indiss-NoWomon or Children to Go.
Dr. J. Albert Thorne. negro who has been
In Philadelphia for some time. engaged In per-
fecting a new plan for African colonization
from the United States and the West Indies,
has sailed for Africa In the interest OF the
project. His plan is said to have the support
Of Philadelphians OF such prominence ana Inc
telligence as DR.. 8. Weir Mitchell, Prof. James
Tyson and the Rev. J. Wilton Chapman. DIR.
Thorne is Of medium build. His complexion
ia almost coal black. His features are sharply
cut and his forehead bold and high. while his
expression IL exceedingly Intelligent. In an
interview before his departure he outlined his
plan and said;
Il was born in the Barbados in 1850 After
a course Of study in the Moravian schools and
under private instructors in the West Indies.
began travelling and lecturing. journeyed
from one end Of the United States to the other
and then proceeded to Great Britain. where
entered the Edinburgh University. graduating
from there in 1893. with tho degree OF A. d.
have resided In England for thirteen years and
have an Office in London. l have had the
project In mind for ut least seven years. OF
assisting enterprising members OF my race TO
return and settle In the land OF their fathers,
under suitable auspices. l believe that such
an emigration would DO in direct line with
for 1t would enable them to move on with tho
rest OF the world.
1T has been my experience. in travelling
over this country. that the Africans are ex-
posed to racial disadvantages. which undoubt-
edv prevent them from making any satisfao-
tory progress In composition with the white
element be they foreigners or native born.
i>The recent serious race troubles in the South
and West have greatly strengthened my belief
Mo- nf Of nHyan ant
to the Caucasian race. have been closed
against the man whose skin is black And
there is no Indication that in the course Of
this generation at least there will be
any appreciable change In the present
social condition. In the West Indies
the black people virtually where slavery
left them sixty years ago: not because they
have not labored hard. but because they have
not been allowed to progress. or to ill posi-
tions Of trust whereby. in time. they might
accumulate wealth.
Now to outline my project: The founding Of
a negro colony where the black man would
have an equal opportunity with tho white.
The part OF Central Africa north Of the river
Fam best which l have selected for tho for
nation OF my colony. is at present under the
protection Of Great Britain. The climate
there. though not unhealthful like that OF the
West Coast, 10. nevertheless. unsuitable for
ssquenty. is excellent. Out OF q population Of
about five millions. there are. at the presens
time. only about three hundred whites.
MY plan is to secure 10000 acres OF land
in this region as basis. and to settle upon
this tract one hundred families. carefully
selecting the well-trained in tho various
| branches Of industry The land is to be
divided into ten sections of 1000 acres each.
| and upon each section ten families are to be
mis- In AT a
fund to enable the original settlers to reach
| their destination. and to hold out for the first
| three years. During this time each head OF q
| family 10 to receive food and clothing enough
| for himself and those who belong to him. At
the close Of the third year an additional allow
ance OF 81 200 will be given each year, as 1t 10
hoped that by that time an income will be de-
| rived from the land under cultivation. This
arrangement is to be continued for five or ten
| years. when the land 10 to be divided into
equal parts among the settlers. The net pro-
| Deeds after the third year and until the diviS-
| ion Of the land are to be employed for further
ing the civilization Of the natives.
TT s my idea that the original oolonists
| should be carefully chosen from the vast num-
bers Of Africans in the United States and the
| West Indies. They should. 30 far possible.
| be skilled in the various branches Of industry.
They should cultivate coffee. sugar tea. and
| other tropical products. send them to different
parts of tho world. and receive in return such
| commodities as they could not raise. We shall
| construct railroads. place steamships In the
rivers. have our own banking institutions and
in this way be able to accumulate wealth de-
| prived US In other lands. and OF which we are
| 30 much In need.
| "A freehold OF thirty acres has already been
promised to zach person in British Central
Africa. the territory lately presided over by Sir
| Jnhp ha ma " hating
| that the settlers are persons OF good reputa-
| ton, and that the grantee cultivates the land
| for period OF not less than two years.
| have been 80 successful OF late In aroueing
| interest In my colony that am pleased to an
| nouncs definitely that the first contingent Of
| tho colony will sail from BridRetown. Barba-
| does. under my leadership and personal
direction, In few days. The United States
| will be reached about week later, and
after a short stay to take up the rest OF our
men and supplies we shall then proceed from
| New York to London. After further squipping
| ourselves In the great English metropolis and
| bidding adieu to our friends we shall soil from
| Southampton for Cape Town. the first stage Of
| our journey. by the Union Steamship Line.
| THE party will not number more than ten.
| the unit. and will be arranged follows: one
| medical man. chemist and general directori
| one superintendent. storekeeper and treasurer
/
| with knowledge Of printing!; one engineer.
| surveyor and prospector; two nurserymen
| with knowledge Of botany; one vegetable
| and fruit gardener with knowledge OF agris
| cultural chemistry; one river. lake. import
! and export agent with a knowledge OF boat
| buildngl one carpenter. builder and furni-
| ture maker: one bootmaker and tailor.
| These ten will be settled upon one thousand
| acres OF land. so that when 1t Is divided ut the
close OF tho fifth or seventh year-the stipulated
| period to be determined upon by a majority Of
| the poneers-each settler will receive one
| hundred acres. Each eligible person. besides
| his passage and outfit, will be provided with
! food and shelter out of the funds subscribed.
| during the first three years. But after tho
third year. and as soon as the first crops shall
| have been sod the stage OF self-support being
now reached. supplementary monetary allow
ance will be granted each year. according to
tho strength Of the revenues. This will con-