Evening star., 1909-03-03
ployed people in Liberia, living upon the
b0unties of nature.
Opinion Of an Expert.

DOuntieS OF nature.
Opinion Of an Expert.
Consular Inspector Gottschalk in
recent report to the Secretary of State
speaks of the magnificent possibilities
Of the country. but deplores the inef-
hciency OF its administration. espe-
cially' in matters OF finance and with
regard to the judiciary. The aborigines.
he says. are not a troublesome people,
They are kept in a state OF peace and
loyalty by gifts from the government.
but produce absolutely nothing beyonf
their own food. The people are very
generally shiftless, very poor and cons
stantly pressed in upon by their Brit
fsh and French neighbors. The COM
parison between Liberia and the Brit
ish colony, Sierra Leone founded upon
the same conditions with similar ma
terials. and having the same character
of people and soil, is convincing that
the republic is rich in possibilities. AS
sistant Secretary O'Laughlin in a re-
for one more chance for Liberia. lie
says: 1T would be unfortunate for
American prestige If we were to fail
to give practical assistance. so that the
inhabitants OF Liberia might not be-
come cXtinguished as a nationality. and
place upon their race the opprobrium OF
being unfit to govern themselves"
Not long ago Mr.. Henry F. Downing,
a well known colored philanthroplst,
made an urgent appeal to the Presi-
dent in behalf of Liberia. and gave a
very clear description OF the situation
over there He says:
Liberals present misfortune arises
out OF the presence IN Liberia OF lazy.
country to escape the necessity OF Ia
DOT. Since the establishment of tnaS
republic over $1,000 American negroes
ana not less than $4,000 from the West
!noIes and other colonies have gone
tnere yet Liberals present civilized
population does not amount to more
than 10000 souls. At the same time
mere Is practically no immigration. nor
Is the absorption of the natives oc-
curing with sufficient rapidity to make
good the losses made by death. Tho
mass or the people. being ignorant, I'M
moral and abjectly poor, are more or
Tess dependent upon the government.
81 fo "a Few men have taken advantage
OF the opportunity thus provided to
concentrate all the powers of the gov.
eminent IN their own hands
II would seem that the government de.
sires to be protected from territorial en-
nevertheless. its policy seems directeS
toward enabling Great Britain to deprive
tne republic of its independence. Though
LIDeIlas only source of revenue is de-
export duties. the control of these co,Iec-
tions is intrusted to British hands. Though
Liberia complains that Great Britain does
not scruple to deprive her Of her territory
she nevertheless selects British militarv
omcers to command the troops noIicjno.
ner border between Liberia and Sierra
Leone. The press is intimidated. and the
people. held IN the grip Of ignorance. pow
cry dno immortality. are forced to SUBJ
mi1 70 the Will Of the executive
Ihere are many other sad facts which
could De mentioned, but those set out
aoove are enough to show that unless a
radical change be speedily brought about.
LIBERIA In very few years must lose its
independence. This misfortune would se.
rlousiy 1nJure the American negro mas.
much as 1t would enable his enemies ia,
point TO the Liberian ffasco as proof oe.
the negro's incapacity for self-govern-
ment.''
Suggests Protectorate.
The best thing that the United Statesi
could do to help Liberia is to Join with.
Great Britain and France-whose terri.'
torial interests are paramount-to reor-
ganize and administer the government
honestly and inteligently and to induce
men with money to undertake the devel-,
| opment Of its agricultural and commercial
resources.
Assistant Secretary Adee Of the Depart.
| ment Of State quotes Sir Harry Johnston
recently governor OF a similar British COLI
| ing that Liberia is capable of sustaining q,
population Of ,20,O0O.00O, and that her pro-
| lection and development may be a some
what paltry. atonement by Britain and
her daughter in America for the horrors
| of the slave trade