Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1914-02-19

l 100 men and women to Africa on
his ship, sailing some time next
month
Then ! viii come back for 1900
more" said Chief Sam. "n7ery.
Mhsere Rhave been spreading ny sos.
psl; which means the shipment Of all
negroes bach 10 .~Africa-back where
they came from, the land. Of plenty
on the Gold Coast" !? {?
Chief Sam declares his proposition
to the negroes, Of America consist
Of an offer to transport them from
New York to Africa and to give them
sixty:folr acres Of land apiece, for
the nominal sum of $25 each.
White folks do not realize tha
enormity of the negro problem in this
country,'i he said. "The negroes
ought to go back to Africa. Farms
and gold and happiness await them
there. They are-welcome and will
receive every atdmk
why are i my people inviting the
American negroes to Africa. 1 re-.
ceived letters from black men in the
United States who wanted to return
TO Africa. l took their word to chiefs
Of other tribes, who may join In this
enterprise later. We of tho tribe of
Akin, and there are many thousands
in" the tribe, decided to buy a boat
and bring them over. The boat.
which is the only one of it's size
owned by negroes, is waiting for us
now"
His Answers Are Vague.
Although Chief Sam is apparently
a willing talker, all Of hA statements
as to his country, its exact location
and matters of a similar nature are
vague. 1t is because of the lack of
details regarding the enterprise that
some Of the negroes of the country
have been skeptical regarding tho sin
certify Of the so.called African chief
Charles C. Glen, a negro of Chancte
kas., who began an investigation of
Chief Sam received a letter from
Duse Mohamed, a negro editor OF
London, who stated that he had new
heard Of Chief Sam or his project.
He also advised negroes to make a
thorough investigation before they de.
cided to cast their lot with the Afri-
can c%hieftain. However, those who
have joined with him believe he Is
sincere and apparently have; much
faith In him. His persuasive powers
are good.
It is likely that we'll known negro
leaders OF the country will make an
investigation into the plans OF the
African colonizer with a view of as-
pertaining his reliability. There Is a
demand to know exactly who Chief
Sam is. and how far he will be able
fulfill his promises There are
many negroes who say they would
return to Africa IL they were sure his
project: Is as he represents 1t. They
say an investigation will do no harm.
because if Chief Sam is reliable, it
cannot hurt him. and II he is not, the
negroes should know it. so that they
Will not be duped by his promises
and schemes. There is a possibility
that the United States government
may be called upon to take notice Of
the busy Sam.
THE chief says his name. is Alfred
9 Sam. and that he is the ruler OF
the Akin tribe. Beyond that no one
has been able to ascertain any facts
regarding him. )
The government census of 1910
showed Q negro population In the
States. not including. any Of
territories, of almost 10000, 200.
Chief Sam says he hopes to- interest
he other tribes OF western Africa in
me colonization Of their country with
American negroes, as he realizes that
It will be impossible. to people the
and with only one vessel with a ca
Of 1900 persons