The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-11-02
q view Of Liberia.

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United States Minister Lyno has
written a very instructive report on
the interior Of Liberia. Alter des-
crihing his journey from aaonrovia
into the interior, the mode Of travel
ing, etc, Mr.. Lyon declares that the
absence of railroads and of every other
Vehienlar convenience for travel IN
Liberia IS serious drawback TO the
evelopmslt aud prosperity Of the re-
public For this reason very lew
Eiberians venture into the interior
Esxceps soldiers and traders, the III
begians are absSlRsely ignorant OF the
Interior Of Their county They pre-
Fer 50 90 TO Europe for pleasure and
recreation, although the Interior OF
Liberia is said 70 be rich in products,
bsantiifnl ii sesnery and healshful IN
location Only tho foreigner pentus-
iss Because Of his willingness to as
same the difEcuIties Of the Journey ne
becomes as once the object fscurloas
wonder.
II the roads are crooked and laeyr-
lntlline. They are made crooked 70
nassiead che enemy, and 20 render ms
approach 60 q Town difdculs during a
srSbal war. The aboriginsS give theIn-'
seSves no concern about obstacles ID
sas road. They cut down q tree and
lsavs part Of Che huge branches lying
across the pat. They never think OF
naoring Is except hen compelled 60,
10 50 BY 8 Eiberian commissioner. They
pzefer either 10 climb over OF 20 so.
agound, and tel swim a creek rather
ssaan take the trouble TO cross it By
SIC bridge. When an old read is aban-
Dued is IS tagged By placing a
branch and an obstruction as the FORK or.
Bath. The natives skaoW what
IS means and take the new road
sIslas yssson given by the natives for.
1caxinG obStruc5loas Ia the Ioaus and.
Tor laking then narrow and winding,
ss;s nes only 10 heRi der the tribal foes
sas also to rsnder Is diHclls for the.
meTic0- Liberian to end them in
neir native fastnesses In the inter
icr She houses are constructed Of mud.
and Eha5ch. No marked Improvement
IS visible ii shis section on the prinal-
Eve style of souss builders. Ihe IN
rSorS cf the houses are clean, and so:
zrs nsaRy OF She towns. Although a
oC3ly number OF he man IN these.
speak and understand English,
sonae ssW residing and writing it with
s gushing aiscuracy. she knowledge
oes nos make any difference II their
mode off living. Climatic eondi ton
Ed social enI5 comments fofoe shem TO-
asf1iet adheFaEeet to primitive customs.
he municipal osieer Of every town,
IS ssEJed the chief, and OF the malt
the hsadman. All disputes are.
ssssied BY thea. Tribal animositiess
constant 5euds thaT deter the
spsrisy and growth Of the country
frica is 55ha home Of some pecu-.
iiar EnsIadies. and Europeans find is4
necessary TO make annual trs pS 30 the
Es6sria Islands or 20 the continent to.
ain their ssten 9Th.
urrescy Isl absent from she section
pf Which Minister Lyon writes. The
nztiFss bring their prodncts coffee,
in OH palm kernels. palm wins,
scis piassaFa, iYor skins, Venl-,
caneRoo3. rubber, beesWax, honey
precious stones, sheep goats,
ssssle, singer. kola nuts and osher
and for these they get from
she merchants clotn, salt. fobacco,s
pcs, gins cut classes, brass Kettles,
Szon poss Grinketss beads poRGer,s
cars sbos. s6ock9sh. looking glasses,
Scortbs, Florida water and other COM
aodi lies, ali Of which are sold at
largo profit Tins. CLOTH purchased
England at to 5cents yard is
sold n trade for iis44 cents. England
nd Germany seem TO bare monopo-
il of the trade. That they do good
business may be inferred from the
9eferEed eaaimso of German hrm for
559e, eco against q Liberian merchant
doing business at ldonrogfa.