Evening star., 1909-03-03
MORE ABOUT LIBERIA
Futile Visit of Its Commission
to This Country.
WANTED TO BORROW MEN
Also Would Have Liked a Protect
crate, if You Please.
1T GOT ONLY SOME ADVICE
It Is Potentially Rich Country,
But "Bad as It Can Possibly Be
and Growing Worse"
1T GOT ONLY SOME ADVICE
BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS

BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.
Written for The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
Last May there appeared in Washington
a commission Of Eve persons appointed by
the government of Liberia. consisting Of
DR.. C. w. Gibson. ]. J. Dossen, C. B. Dun
bar, C.. r. Branch and 7. j. r. Falkins.
They brought credentials as special en-
voys with authority to arrange an arbi-
tration between the United States and
Liberia, and to ask this government to
extend protectorate over that country
for the purpose Of guaranteeing its indie
pendence and integrity against the en-
roachments of powerful European govern
ments
The commission was also instructed to
solicit the good offices of the United States
for securing treaties of arbitration be-
tween Liberia on the one side. and Eng
land, Germany and France on the other,
so that disputes with these countries,
which are liable to arise at any time.
may be settled in a peaceful manner and
not by force.
Another object of the mission was to
ask the President of the United States to
loan the government Of Liberia officials
from the customs, Treasury, Post Office,
educational, Agricultural and police de-
partmentS to reOrganiZe and direct affairs
in that little republic for an indefinite
period
Another purpose of the mission was to
induce the United States to assist in the
emigration of negro farmers, mechanics
and capitalists to Liberia for the purpose
of developing the resources of that coun-
try, and the commission was authorized
to offer liberal inducements in the way
Of land and concessions.
The commission was also instructed to
arrange for the establishment of resu-
lar line Of steamers between the United
States and Liberia, to be assisted by
SUBSIDIES from both governments.
It was also instructed to explain to
the chamber of commerce and otnel
commercial bodies in this country the ag-
ricultural, industrial and commercial ad-
vantages of Liberia. and to advertise the
opportunities for the cultivation of cof-
fee, cotton, cocoa, and other tropical
staples, and to offer concessions for rail-
ways and cart roads. and for working the
almost unlimited forests of rubber, ma
hogany and other trees. 1t was also to
exploit the mineral resources. as gold and
iron are found in abundance.
Powers Are Interested
The commission came here in May. was
formally received by the President, and
had several interviews with Secretary
ftOOI dHQ ScClOldEy bdCoIl, lh "iilSh liiCSe
officials were enlightened on the several
points involved in the mission.
Secretary Root pointed out the impossi-
bility of a protectorate, and told the COM
mission that we could not guarantee the
| independence of any foreign country, but
promised to use the good offices of this
government with England, France and
Germany, which was Immediately done
All three of those governments in reply
gave our ambassadors assurances that
they would not interfere with the indie
pendence of Liberia, but each of them
urged the cooperation of the United
States in the reorganization of the Libe-
rian government for an honest administra-
tion of the finances and the preservation
of order. The British government sug-
gested that the best thing We could do
was to appoint some American to act as
adviser to the President of Liberia similar
to the residents at the courts of the
native princes in India. Earl Grey also
suggested that competent negro lawyers
from the United States be sent over to
Liberia to act as judges. because the
native judiciary is SO lamentably incom-
petent and corrupt. Similar assurances
were obtained from the other European