New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-10
TIE MENACE 70 L[BERIA.

Franco and Great Britain have come 70 an
agreement In West Africa the former annex
Ing pretty much everything not otherwise So
curcly appropriated. and thus getting al en-
pre many times larger than thar OF the latter
There low remain in that quarter of the globe
only three problems YET TO be solved: Or" OF
them is the disposition of Morocco. which con
Germs this country llttle There was n time
when tho reversion Of that crumblinC empire
seemed likely to be upon Spain. That tinic Is
now past and the only apparent contention is
between France and Great Britain. with the
weight Of advantage at present somewhat on
the side Of the former. The second IS the dis
position Of he stretch Of coast from Cape BoJa-
dor 10 apo Blanco, over which Spain still eX-
crclses some shadowy sovereignty In that,
too. we have little interest. though we are
powerfully contributing to the Fastening OF
SPANS inevitable eviction. ON general prin-
ciples one might suppose France would get that
territory. too. But it seems probable that what
over Power takes possession Of the Canary
Islands will have something to say about this
coast. which los so near them wherefore the
intcrcs, of the United States in the matter may
be larger than on the surface appears.
The third problem IS that of Liberia. and ina
II this country has much interest. both prac-
teal and sentimental. There can be no doubt
that NJ least two European Powers are casting
coveto,ls glances upon the Negro Republic ana
are actually Intriguing TO get possession of II. as
they and others have done before. And in
deed It is worth coveting. II has splendid
stretch of coast from Sierra Leone to the French
Ivory Coast. Inland it's boundary against the
French Empire Is ildcDned. but its inds-
putable area Is about the size OF the State or
Kansas Most OF It's soil is exceptionally pro-
ducilye and It's native inhabitants comprise by
far the best men. industrially. in all West
Africa. The physical strength OF the Kroomen
is enormous and their encrgT AMI readiness TO
work are quite phenomenal in tropical land
A. the same time IL must be confessed that the
Kcpublic amid these advantages, has not pros
pcrcd as II was hoped ii would. Many of its
publir men and n considerable proportion OF its
citizens have shown themselves worthy of rank
among the best nations Of the world. but others
have shown a dcplorable tendency toward ret
rogrcssion Its balance Of trade Is usually I'M
favorable. it, budget is apt to show deficit.
It's public DEBT Is steadily increasing and the
interest on 1t has not been paid for many years.
The fact Is rs people do not seem gifted with
The genius OF constructive craftsmanship. any
more than some white peoples whose oppor-
tun!tcs have been still more favorable.
We have said that ut least two Powers are
making advances toward control of Liberia.
Germany has succeeded In one important stroke.
She has made a contract under which she is
TO enjoy n monopoly of Kroomen labor Hence
forth any one wishing TO employ kroomcn VIII
have 10 apply to German agency for them
and pay A commission to German official.
Seeing that commerce and industry there are
chiefly dependent upon the kroomcn the sig
nlhcancc of this IS apparent. y short time
more vii, probably see Germany enjoying NJ
most a monopoly Of Libcrian trade France. on
the other hand has seemed inclined 10 make
territorial Entertainments upon Liberia ana 10
seek political influence at Monrovh. Several
fines in 1879. In 1884 and In lSSI-thcre has
been reason to think France was aiming 10
establish protcctorate over Liberia. In lSp-
she made a treaty by which she took third
Of Liberals territory and granted in return GER
tain concessions. which she soon ait'rWaru
Withdrew. and by which, moreover. she SUP
ulated to respect the independence or what was
left of Liberia only on condition that Liberia
should not ALLEVIATE any part OF her possessions.
The lmplication IS of course, that If Liberia
should cede a bit Of land TO the British colony
If Sierra Leone France would at once reckon
herself irep 10 take lhlHN'NNVh vi wv ""''
Republic. Truly. a We have hitherto observed.
NJ Uauotaux was an astute diplomat.
II IS not to be supposed that any such ex-
trcue stcp is contemplated. however. To what
extent Great Britain would In case or need e1-
crt her infucnc, In behalf of Libcrian indie
pendcncc i a matter OF conjecture The feeling
and attitude Of the United States are a matter
Of unmstakahlc record. II Is to the erect thar
ihcrIo although not n colony OF the United
States began It's independent career as m
off shoot Of this Nation and therefore this quasi
porcntal relationship authorizes the United
States TO interposc Its good offices In any con
,cst between Liberia and foreign State; and
a refusal to Civ, the United States chance to
10 heard for this purpose would create an I'M
favorable impression upon the people ana Gov
ernmcnt OF this country. The policy of the
United States in respect TO Liberia Is OF so
long standing 80 consistent ard so entirely rea-
sonoblc that It is not to he supposed any friend
10 nation will lightly disregard IT,