Land in Chile, South America
By F. H. Westphal
QUITE a number of our brethren have asked me under what conditions they can get government land in Chile. In answer to this question I will write the following for the REVIEW AND HERALD, so that others who may be interested in the same question may also have the desired information. Those coming from the United States of America on their own expense, would be considered as free colonists, and they would need to hand in an application to the government as free colonists. They must bring a certificate from the government stating that they are legally married. They must bring evidence of the date of the birth of their children, and of their nationality, as well as of their own. They must show that both they and their children have conducted themselves well, and have a good moral standing. They must also bring evidence that they understand agriculture or farming. All coming here should provide themselves with a passport. A married man can get for himself and his wife forty hectares of land, or about one hundred and twenty acres. For every son he has over twelve years of age he can get twenty hectares, or sixty acres. If a man and his wife come here with five sons over twelve years of age, with the necessary documents, he can take one hundred and forty hectares, or five hundred and twenty acres. Some of the land is very good, and some of it is not so good. It may be near a railroad station, but the greater part of it is some distance away; the railroads, however, are following up the colonists as fast as possible. It seems to me that some might improve these privileges, and come here as self-supporting missionaries. To all our friends we would say that we are of good courage in the Lord, and the work is moving on, but there ought to be many of those gathered in Battle Creek and other places like that, willing to come and use some of this land offered by the government, and plant the banner of truth in many places in Chile. What do you think about this, brethren? Your actions will answer the questions.