The sun., 1909-02-21
The Troubles of Liberia.

The Liberian Republic Is in trouble.
The situation might be better described
by saying that the Iiberian Republic
is still in trouble. Its difficulties go back
to 1919, when the National Colonization
Society was organized for the purpose
Of establishing in the continent Of their
race refuge and home for freed Ameri-
can negro slaves and for African negroes
recaptured from slave ships. Because
OF the American interest and activity
shown in the formation Of the colony
there doubtless rests upon this country
a fairly defined moral responsibility for
its welfare. Mr.. Roof takes the posi-
ton that "our nation rests under the
highest obligations to assist them 1.-THE
Iiberiansl, so far as they need assistance,
toward the maintenance Of free, orderly
and prosperous civil society," Hence
his request, shortly before his resigna-
ton, for an appropriation of $4,000 to
pay the expenses of commission TO
60 to Liberia and investigate and re-
port the conditions there existing.
The truth Of tho matter probably is
that very few Americans know or care
rap just where Libt ria is. how 1t came
into existence, what has been its his
tory or what shall be it's fate. II is
possible that from sentimental motives
the United States might see fit TO assume
and to discharge its alleged RESPONSE
bilities, and there are perhaps ways in
which this might I've done without much
expense and without politica! complica-
tions. il is also possible that from q
practical point of view the work is not
worth while, that the concern 10 not
really worth saving. The country is
about tho size Of the State OF Pennsyl-
vania and has about $50 miles Of coast
line. Statistics Of population indicate
some 1000 900 inhabitants. about 10 per
cent. being American negroes or the
descendants of such, and the remainder
being natives more or less uncivilized
or barbarous. The natural resources Of
the country and its economic possibli-
ties are reported as quite remarkable,
but the government of the country is
50 hopelessly weak and inefficient that
capital declines to engage in any enter
prises under it.
Germany and England practically con-
troll the trade Of the country, which is
reported for 1905 as imports s87o,OOO
and exports tiS5, ,0o0. Its principal ex-
ports are rubber, fibres and palm prod
ucts. and its principal imports are cotton
cloth. iron goods and provisions. 1t is
bounded on the northwest by the Brit
ish colony Of Sierra Leone, a somewhat
smaller country, but excellently gov
erned, stable and progressive. On
the north and the east lies the French
hinterland. Between a continuance Of
anything like present conditions and a
division Of the country between France
and England the advantage TO the
people and to the world would easily be
on the side Of division. In view of the
position of the United States neither
France nor England is disposed to seize
the territory, and both have declared
desire to cooperate with the United
States in the rehabilitation and support
Of Liberia. Unless it is our purpose to
assume actively another oversee bur-
den, it might be best to intimate to
France and England that as far as we
ere concerned they may settle the mat
ter between them.
The history Of the free and inde-
pendent republic Of Liberia is praoti-
cally history OF sixty years OF inef-
fciency and ineptitude, We might
redeem it by the loan Of an admins
trative outfit but it would probably
be necessary to back the administrator
with a military garrison. Any scheme
suggestive Of present or future annexa-
ton is repulsive.