The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-06-26
THE LIBERIANS
MAKE PLEA
They Ask Material Assistance in
Developing Their
Resources.
TURN TO THE UNITED STATES.
Booker T. Washington Declares Their
Cause is Cause of Brothers
In America.

In America.
WASHINGTON, June 12.-That the
colored race throughout America mani
fest a deeper and more material in
terest in the welfare of Liberia was the
theme that held the attention for two
hours and a half of a large audience
of Washington's colored population
last night
Addresses were made by the five en-
voys of the African republic in this
| city, who discussed the past difficulties,
the future hopes and the vast business
possibilities in their land.
The meeting was presided over by
Booker T. Washington and held under
! the auspices of the Washington Negro
Business League at the Lincoln Temple
Memorial Congregational Church, 18th
and R Streets.
Throughout yesterday the ENJOYS
spent an arduous day of work, visiting
the White House, the State War and
Agricultural departments. They were
under the guidance of Booker r.
Washington.
MISSION ENDORSED BY DR. WASH
INGTON.
Preparatory to introducing the sew
eral Liberian visitors, DR.. Washington
made a short address.
Il am glad to be with you tonight
and help welcome these estimable and
lovable men from Africa" said the
Alabama educator They are here in
Washington on an official visit. not
merely as ENJOYS of their land, but as
representatives of the entire negro
race. To a vast degree we are deep
ly interested in affairs affecting them
as they must necessarily be interested
in our welfare and advancement.
ITO a large degree their success is
our success and their failure is our
failure. If their country succeeds, so
much in that degree does the race sue
coed. And if their country fails so
much in that degree does the race fail
"They need the support they ask for
and should have it for the reasons
mentioned Their mission here is a
noble one.
1T is a qualification to note and
realize how well these men have been
received here in Washington, the cor
dial welcome extended, the attentive
ness with which their pleas have been
listened to and the interest manifest
in their mission, which ! trust will be
realized to it's fullest extent. These
men have been to the White House,
the State Department, the Agricultural
Department and other divisions of our
government and their welcome has
been pleasing and cordial
Personally | have never met in the
comparatively short time that | have
been with them more lovable or more
genuine men. Each of them has en-
deared himself to me by his zeal, his
faith, his affection for and in his coun-
try, and his sincerity and genuineness.
They have found a deep and lasting
place in my affections"
ENJOYS EXPLAIN THEIR CAUSE.
Following DR. Washington, the en-
voys, James J. Dawson, vice president
of the republic; G. w. Gibson, former
ly president and for many Years secre-
tary of state in Liberia; Charles B.
DuRbar, lawyer; c. NJ. Faulkner, a
civil engineer, and c. R. Branch, secre-
tary of the mission, were introduced
and spoke upon their Africa home and
its possibilities.
After the primary object of the en-
voys visit to America was outlined, a
territorial description was given of the
country the form of government,
modelled after that of the United States
and a resume of the resources. The
lack of industrial development was
dwelt upon also and the ENJOYS en-
deayored to show the vast opportun-
tiles for the profitable investment of
large amounts of capital
The ENJOYS pleaded for a closer bond
of union between the colored people of
America ana the citizens of Liberia.
This bond they asserted would create a
deeper and kindlier feeling for Liberia
in America than has existed for many
years and would tend to revive the in
terest in the country formerly held by
American people for the success of
the republic when American negroes
were first sent out to colonize the fer
tile strip of land on the west African
coast.
CAPITAL NEEDED TO DEVELOP
TRADE.
=. With stronger bond between the
two countries, the ENJOYS stated would
, come the revival of trade with the
, United States, which was greatly long
ed for by the citizens of the republic
and the investment of American capt.
! ! al In, 1