IMMIGRATION FROM SYRIA. Some Bound IOR California.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 430, 21 December 1889, Page 3

IMMIGRATION FROM SYRIA. Some Bound lOR California.

Eighty Syrians have arrived in New York within a few weeke, nnd many more are expected. Ex-Consul Arberly believes that these Easterners will prosper in America. Their skill as handicraftsmen will secure them a warm welcome from American mer* chants. ' The few (Syrians and Armenians who came here some years ago have prospered, 1 he explained, ' and the hopeful letters which they sent to their relatives and friends in the East are the main cau&e of this present immigration. Moreover, it is a fact that the wave of immigration, which some time or other affects every nation, is just now 'passing over the Eist and impelling these people to leave their native country for a new home. They aro not paupers, and if they were to remain at home they could all make a good living. Every Syrian and Armenian immigrant nas money, and can support himself until he finds work in his new homo. 'The climate of some parts of America would naturally not agree with them, and hence their ultimate object is to form a large Syrian colony in California, Florida or some other suitable section of the country. The organisers, who are respectable Syrians and Armenians, purpose to buy a large tract of land and to cut it up into small farms. 'The Syrians are great agriculturists and especially adept at raising fruit. 'Factories will also be erected, aud in them «lk will be manufactured. The Syrians and Americans are the most skilful manufacturers of silk in the world, and many experts in that branch of trade have come here in the hope that they will be able to reap rich rewards for their labour, ' The quantity of silk manufactured every year in America is very small compared with what it might be and what it certainly will be if these expert Syrians are allowed to have their way. American merchants must see that it is to their advantage to have first-class silk manufactured in their own country instead of abroad, and they, I am sure, will be the first to welcome the Syrians to this country.' All Syrian immigrants, however, are not silk manufacturers or farmors. Among them are blacksmiths, tailors, bakers and pedlars. Many of them have brought their wives and families to this country, but the number of men is still far greater than that of the women. One reason given by the admirera of the Syrians and Armenians why they should be welcomed to this country is that no Syrian or Armenian who has ever coino to America has ever been found guilty of any grave crime. On the contrary, history, it is claimed, proves that no men are more peace-loving than they are. — 'N. Y. Herald,' Sept. "