The Washington bee., 1909-06-19
Liberia Redeemed
THE AMERICAN COMMISSION
IN LIBERIA


Beginning of a New Era for West
Africa's Negro RepubliC-HosPi-
tality Dispensed with Lavish
Hand by Government and
People-Great Work Plan
ned by the Commission
Wir Bear Fruit
Graphic Pen-Pictures Of Scenes and
Incidents by Mr.. Walter F,
Walker, of the College OF
West Africa
Monrovia. Liberia, May Y, 1900
Special Correspondence.
The United States Scout Crusler
Chester" bearing the American
Commission, recently appointed by
President Taft, anchored in the har-
bor of Monrovia on Saturday, May
9Th. about 4 a. m. In short while
the glad news had travelled through
out the city: "The American Com
mission is herer was the greeting
every one heard that morning. Then
came a salute from the Chester OF
twenty-one guns, Bang! Bang!! The
Liberia guns from the fort responded
Bang! Bang!! The whole Cape
shook at each fire from the fort. The
gunner must have put in extra pow
der in honor of the Commission, as
many remarked that they had never
heard those guns shoot so loud.
Everybody was anxious to witness
the arrival of the Americans. Nearly
all work was suspended and stores
closed and the waterside was packed
with a nervous, restless and intense
crowd of people-from the river set
Elements, interior settlements and
native towns. Everyone Craned his
neck each time the Customs House
door opened, thinking the Commis-
sion had come ashore. This jOstllng,
laughing, gesticulating crowd waited
from g o'clock a. m, to 4 o'clock IN
the afternoon and never lost patience.
The American Minister, Ernest Lyon,
went aboard to confer with the Com
mission and arrange for their coming
ashore. The hour arranged for was
two o'clock, but owing to some un-
avoidable delay it was about 4 o'clock
before the "President Benson reach
ed the wharf. Then there was
general bargain counter rush to
get a glimpse of the Commissioners.
Look out man, lemme see de Com
mission"
"Try hard, Brer, and lemme see
dem 'merican folks"
Such expressions and numerous
others that have to be heard to be
appreciated were calculated on all
Sides
ABSENCE OF BOOKER WASH
NGTON REGRETTED
The Commission was disappointing
in one particular-there was no
Booker T. Washington! 1t had been
circulated, upon the strength of news
paper intelligence throughout Liberia,
that DR.. Washington was coming on
the Commission. The whole country
was "on edge" to see this world
famed man. One AmeriCO-Liberian
woman, who has not been in this
country more than ten years, remark
ed: Booker T. Washington IS com
ing to Liberia. Now you'll have a
chance to see big man. for true.
Although it was known for some days
before the Commission arrived that
DR.. Washington would not be a mem
Der, yet there were many who would
not believe otherwise than that he
would come. I had a very hard time
trying to convince a policeman that
''the culled geneman" was Mr.. Scott
and not DR.. Washington.
THE COMMISSION WARMLY
WELCOMED
On arriving at the wharf the Com
mission was detained a few minutes
to listen to an address of welcome
by the Acting Mayor of Monrovia'
on behalf of the city. DR.. R. P.
FaMner, Chairman of the Commis-
sion, responded. The Youths Or
cbestra Band played the Star Span
oiled Banner. while the Commissioners
lined up for the march to the Lega-
tion Three companies of the Ii
IBERIA militia escorted the Commis-
sion, and they looked good. In fact