The evening times., 1899-12-30
SATURDAY. DECEMBER 80, 1899.
The Peril of Liberia.

Public developments render il plain that
the Filipinos in Congress assembled are
to derive little comfort from their move
ment to uncover the dark and secret an
tics of the cruiser Montgomery off the
coast of Sierra Leone. They have had so
little of the meat of success TO feed on
lately that the very idea of catching the
Government in a nefarious partnership
with England. designed TO assist that des-
potic and cruel power in its war upon sis
ter republics, was like a lifeboat TO
drowning man, or a Tagal victory to the
Boston Junta
If the fiag-hating element in Congress
had known as much concerning American
international affairs and relations, as it
does about how Aguinaldo got his money,
arms and munitions. its membership could
readily have guessed what the Montgomery
was doing along the coast of Africa. 1t
has not beer a secret that the little black
republic of Liberia has been encroached
upon steadily by France for years, and
large areas of its territory taken from it
by force. 1t is equally well known that the
Liberian Government recently has had rea-
what has been left under its control was
imminent. and has made direct and urgent
appeals to the United States and Great
Britain to stop the spoIiation in time.
In view of these facts our Government
has very properly stationed naval vessel
off the Liberian coast and if there should
be any marked French activity in the same
(, &c rbar flyal,- fha,
the victor of Santiago and a squadron
might appear on the scene. In short, both
honorable sentiment and interest make it
incumbent upon the United States to pre-
serve the independence OF Liberia. as long
as that poor and struggling country fulfills
its obligations, and maintains a peaceful
and civilized government to the extent of
its abilities. Americans are responsible
for Liberals existence as a state and ought
10 and do take lively interest in the ef-
forts of its rulers and people to show that
the African race, under favorable condi-
lions, is capable of independent self-gov-
ernment. In the portions of the republic
under administration and missionary influ-
ence the people are represented to be as
Zulu chiefs are TO Digger Indians.
Liberia is entitled 10 her chance for life.
For the first time in her history there is
real hope of progress and prosperity. The
rubber industry has taken firm root, and is
being developed rapidly. Already it fur
nishes revenue sufficient TO pay the interest
on the state debt, and: if the I.ibe-
rians were let alone by the European
lang grabbers. they would soon have
means to make pubic Improvements, pro-
vide education. and SO on. Intensely op- |
posed as all Americans are 10 entaugling !
alliances. the situation of Liberia SEEMS /
10 present an exceptional case in which an /
alliance with Great Britain in the nature of |
a joint protectorate. would be justified. |
and would not entangle.
Now is the chance for many of our
separated brethren who have sister repub-
licansm in chronic form, to come for
ward and sympathize, and pass resolu
tions denouncing the greed of Jean Cra-
paud, and calling upon President Mckinley
and Queen Victoria to join hands for the
salvation of little Liberia.