The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-11-10
MENNONITES
BUILD HOMES
IN new Land
Pioneer B a n d Is
Paving Way for
Army of 10000
Out of Canada

Er, rASO. Texas. Nov t0--The
greatest religious emigration since
Moses led his followers out OF Egypt.
ana enc that bears some resemblance
10 the ancient biblical event. Is be.
tnr carried on by members Of the
Mennonite religious sect IN Canada.
mo are now moving from tho 10.
msnicn to their new homes IN
Nexfco
The movement of the Mennonisen
n the outgrowth % trouble with the
Canadian government during the
World war. over refusal % members
Il tho sec, to participate In the
VOID war. duo TO religious object.
sns The chief tenet OF the secs for
nds members 10 take up arms.
When the draft law was put into
osfect In Canada. n caused wide
,rr~xd dissatisfaction among the
Nennonites and they began TO look
for a place where they worship their
God according 20 their own customs
After long search. leaders found
4 large tract OF land In the state
a Chihuahua. northern Mexico gov.
eminent. newly established. was cam
pexning for foreign agricultural col
oalsss. and welcomed the thrifty erni.
uxnsl They were given valuable
isnd concessions and long before tho
ffxr bard OF Mennonites arrived. the
Nkxican government had sewage
vsters and streets built and wells
drI,et.
rne first contingent of Mcnnonite-.
Qnsissing Of three special trains.
Arryirg all their belongings tnciu@
<irx livestock. Jeff their old Canadian
h1rnss over a year ago. Today. D.
40 members Of the sect are building
schools. churches homes. and are
culsivating the soil preparing the
xny for an army Of thiF-y thousand
more. who intend 60 rake their
homes there IN search Of religious
freedom
twenty-five villages have been e.
tshlishsd The families live close to
sethsr In little towns. surrounded by
thar farms. which are operated
much the Same az those Of peasants
IN Europe. Each Mennonite In par.
mttfed 10 have only tso acres OF land
and this Is held In fee simple
A bishop Is at the head OF the gov
ernmens and the colonists look to
him for ieadership In business and
personal affairs. as well as spiritual
guidance. This plan is similar 70
that Of the Mormon colonies In the
same state.
The Mexican inhabitants look upon
the newcomers with great respect.
not nnmixsd with awe for they are
different" The obregon govern
ment regards them an decided asset
and has signed agreements suaran.
tssing them the things they cherish
most---reliRious freedom and exernp-
tion from military service.
The land selected by the Mennon-
ties has been the battle-ground OF
scores OF revolutionary movements
and h rich in revolutionary lore II
.as thru this part OF Mexico that
Reneral Perxhing chased Francisco
Villa after Villas attack on Culsihui
raichic. where Mexican bandits mass
scred dozen American citizens sew
srai years ago. IL near the Mennonite
colony. II II not far from Colonial
Dsaz. Mormon colony. raided and
harmed by Red Rodriguez. a Mexican
marauder.
The Mennonite lands ara a part oa
The extensive Luis Terrazzas estates
IN Northern Mexico. The estate was
broken upon the passing Of the Land
Partifions act. year or 80 ago. and
hss been distributed among colonists
Terrazzas was one Of the richest mer
~ the world before the division Of
his lands.