The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-16
VISITORS FR6N LIBERIA
Three Citizens Of the African Re-
public Meet the President.
The Attorney General. n Colonel of
the Army, and IN Prominent
Former Discusses Conditions in His
Country-FinnncinI Condition Good

Three distinguished Liberians called
upon the President yesterday. They were
F. w. Haynes, Attorney General OF the
Republic; Col. A. d. Williams, of the LII
berian army, and the Rev. w. t. Hagan'
presiding elder of the Liberian Conference
CT the Methodist Church. They were III
troduced to the President by l.. w. Pulies.
of Washington. The strangers came to
America as the ministerial and lay dele
gates from Liberia to the Methodist Con-
ference at Chicago. They spoke briefly oil
the conditions existing in the home coun-
try and the affection entertained by the
natives for the parent Republic of the
United States
Mr. Haynes, who was educated at Cam
bridge University, England, in speaking
with a Times reporter. said that Liberia
had been placed in false light by a re-
port which recently gained circulation In
this country that the little Republic on
the West Coast had made request OF the
United States for the gift of small war
ship for patrol service. The story ran
that the Navy Department looked over Its
list of small craft, but had finally replied,
that because of the number of small light
draft boats needed in the waters OF Cuba
and the Philippines, none could be pre-
scented to Liberia.
Some man with a rare and rosy fancy.
said Mr.. Haynes. "wove this story without
fibre of fact When Liberia needs new
ship for coast patrol or any other service
she can afford to pay for 1t. The Republic
is in better financial condition than 1t has
been for many years. Recently we nave
liquidated part OF the national debt owing
to England, and the interest on that debt.
which was twenty years in arrears, has
been paid up.
The exports OF coffee. palm oil, palm
| kernels rubber. cocoa. sugar. hides ana
gold are increasing and ivory and feathers
still form important articles of commerce
Sanitary conditions in the various towns
are improving. the schools are well at
| tended and the people are thrifty, pros
porous and happy.
Il notice that now and then colonization
| projects are set on foot in the United
| States. A few of these may be worthy
schemes. but many are simply devices TO
| take money either from adventurous
people or those who are much dissatisheo
| with their present lot in this country.
LII
| grafton when the newcomers are OK the
right kind; that is, when they are thrifty.
moral. able bodied, willing to work. and
| have enough worldly goods to begin lie
with. To immigrants adjudged desirable
| the Government allots twenty-five acres OF
| good land and enfranchises them as ciu-
| Zens. There are no racial pre]udices Vi
| Determinations such as prevail among GER
tain OF the West Indies-Haiti, San DO
| mngo. and the Benini group OF the pa
hamas. for instance. The laws are liberal
easily obeyed. and generally respected
| Great crimes are rare and the iegai aia-
chinery works rapidly and surely.
"Our constitution is on the mooel OF
| that of the United States: the President
| is elected for term OF two years. He mus,
| he thirty-fye years old, and have real
property to the value of $500. HIS CABINET
| consists of the Secretary o! state, secTe'
tary of the Treasury, Secretary OF the
Interior, the Attorney General. the post
| master General, and the Secretary ioi
War and Navy. Members OF the House
| of Representatives, OF which there are
| thirteen. are elected for two years, ana
members OF the Senate. OF which thele
are eight, are elected for four years
| The population of Liberia Is about
/. 100 900 of which number $4,000 are Amer
| ico-Literians Monrovia, the capital, IN
GLIDING Krootown. has about 5000 inhab-
itants, and Buchram and Edna have
population of 5000. The other important
cities are Robertsport, Harper, and Green
vile"
Colonel Williams was educated at Mon
rovia College, presided over by Edward
| Wilmot Blyden, reputed to be the greatest
negro scholar and who for many years
was the Liberian Minister to England one
of his works. christianity, Islam, and the
Negro Race" published at London In 1881,
is among the best OF books.
Messrs. Haynes. Williams, and Hagan
will sail from New York next week for
Liverpool From London they will go to
Brussels, thence to the Mediterranean.
where ship will be taken for Monrovia.