New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-24
A RELATED DUTY.

There may be question as TO what the United
States can do for the welfare Of Liberia in
response TO the appeal which is now made and
which is a renewal Of appeals which have
hitherto been made. There be little qucs
ton that the United States should do, as the
performance of belated duty all that it prop
erly can do for the security, the prosperity and
the progress of its African protege. This Is con
vincingly suggested by the history Of the fOunda-
tion and development OF the African republic
and of all dealings with it for now nearly
ninety years.
1t was in 1920 that the American Colonization
Society purchased tract OF land from native
chiefs near Cape Montserrado as a place of set
Element for liberated slaves, for whom at that
time there seemed to be place in America.
Two years later actual settlement was begun,
but the first company sent thither was left TO
shift for itself 10 such degree that it probably
would have been destroyed had it not been for
the protection of British warshp In 1924
MonrOvia founded, and in 1898 the Amer
lean Colonization Society gave the settlement a
charter preliminary to constitution Mean
time the Maryland Colonization Society estab-
lished another community near by known as
Maryland, and in 1885,; a Pennsylvania society
planted third at Grand Bassa. In 1899 the
first and third settlements united as two coun-
ties of a single state while Maryland still re
manned separate from them. Under President
Roberts, beginning in 1871, the enterprise made
great progress, but recognized il as Il
state until 1S47, when the American Colonial
ton Society abandoned all interest in it, and it
set up as the independent Republic of Liberia.
It was then Immediately recognized by Great
Britain as q sovereign power and soon after by
the other governments of Europe British phi
lanthropists purchased and gave ii a considerable
additional stretch of coast land. and in 1857
Maryland was annexed to it at the latters own
request. The United States however, refused 10
recognize it as a state until 1861, when President
Lincoln, in his first annual message recon-
mended recognition and the establishment of
diplomatic relations. finally effected in 1862
The first official expression of policy toward
Liberia was made by Mr.. Webster Secretary Of
State in 1S43 to the effect that 1.-The American
government takes a deep interest in the welfare
''of the people of Liberia and is disposed to ex-
tend to them just degree of confidence and
protection" Later in the same year Mr.. Up
shur, Secretary OF State. repeated and amplified
this declaration, saying that this government
will be at all times prepared TO nterpose its
good offices to prevent any encroachment by
1.-The colony upon the just right of any nation
and 1t would be very unwilling to see 1t de-
spoiled of its territory rightfully acquired. or
improperly restrained in the exercise of its
necessary rights and powers as an independent
settlement" After the recognition in 1862 this
country regarded Liberia as an entirely separate
and Independent state, ito offer protection to
(which would be violation of all the traditions
'ard policies of the United States" By 1880
however, the United States declared that 1t
recognized the peculiar relations existing be-
tween it and Liberia and was prepared TO take
any proper steps TO maintain them, and in 1899
it added that 'our position in reference to the
"citizeEs of Liberia is such that we could not be
justified in regarding with Indifference any at
tempt to Cypress them or TO deprive them of
their Independence"
Now the little republic declares itself to be in
urgent need of sympathy and advice and perhaps
of more substantial aid. and it naturally appeals
therefor to the United States. The appeal
should not be In vain. This country ought to
have been the first and not the last to recognize
Liberals independence. 1t ought to have been
foremost In establishing and developing with it
the commercial and other relations which would