The Washington bee., 1909-06-19

/ test feature OF the parade. At each
of these wreaths the Commission was
stopped and a short speech of wei
come was made by a young lady in
behalf of the country represented
Each wreath was carried along with
the Commission to the next until the
last one at the Legation was reached.
They were brought into the Legation
and finally transferred to the rooms
Of the Commission where one deco
rates each room of the Commission.
After only a short stay ashore they
returned to the Chester to spend the
night
PRESIDENT BARCLAYS HIGH
HOPES
Sunday morning nearly all the
Commission attended divine service
ashore. They took dinner afterward
with the American Minister, when
some had their first introduction to
Mango plums, butter pears (avocardo
pears) and pawpaws. Two of the
Attaches, Major Ashburn and Cap
; tain Cloman, had previously met them
in the Philippines.
Monday at two o'clock, the Com
mission was presented to the Presi-
dent of the Republic, Arthur Bar
clay. Sentiments were here eXchang-
ed and the hope was expressed that
the Commission would bring a per
manent blessing to Liberia and secure
her a safe and unmolested career in
the future. The President said that
he would place at the disposal OF the
Commission everything within his
power to facilitate its work The
| Commission was then conducted by
the American Minister to inspect its
headquarters while on shore. A visit
was paid the Imperial German Con-
sui, after which the Commission had
( lunch at the Legation and returned
to the Chester" for the night.
AT HOME ON LIBERIAN SHORE
By this time these gentlemen were
getting tired Of the dreadful bar Of
the Mesurado River (Which is only
really dreadful to read about), but
not nearly so much as the people who
were getting apprehenSive lest the
Commission would spend all its time
on the ship. On Tuesday a few more
official calls were made and Wednes-
dav the 18th, the Commission took
its permanent headquarters on shore
On the afternoon of the same day
reception for the Commission was
given by his ExcellenCy, the Presi-
dent of Liberia, at the Executive
Mansion. Most all of the prominent
men Of the city were present and had
a splendid opportunity to get ac-
quainted with the personnel of the
Commission. Later in the day every
body repaired to the Parade grounds
to witness a baseball game by the
sailors of the United States Steamer
/ Chester.
FINE WORKSHOP FOR THE
WORKERS
The Commissions headquarters oc-
cupy a large, spacious and well-ven-
tilated house on the northwest cor
ner of Government Square It is
most conveniently located, and neatly
and tastefully fitted up for this occa-
sion. A committee Of citizens pre-
pared the building and turned it over
to the American Minister for the use
cf the Commission. Everything is
being done for their comfort and
, convenience. The only complaint is
that they are given too much to eat
+ One of the members said that are
given a regular New Orleans break
fast. Those from New Orleans will
understand the allusion, Nobody has
had the African fever and no one eX-
poets to get it. After all most of the
terror of African fever is eXperienc-
cd before reaching Africa.
The Commission is now hard at
work ferreting and sitting. They are
determined to go to the bottom of the
Liberia situation. Much of the hard
work the Commission would have had
to do was already accomplished be
fore the arrival of the Commission.
The Legation has been the busiest
house in MOnrovia, besides CONNER
ciaI houses, for the last three months.
Rev. Ernest Lyon, of Maryland, s
in charge here. and is ably assisted