The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1910-04-03
Hostile Tribes Are Menace to Liberia
Descendants American Slaves Over Mil
lion and Half Tibesmn n Republic
(DY JONATHAN wlNFIELp.)

Il u i
nv JONATHAN WiNFiELD.)
Washington. Apil 2.-Liberia. found.
cd by American philanthropists with
tho object Of forming . nation Of for
mer American slaves and their Off
springs. in Africa, is in dire distress.
For nearly . century this black repub.
lie In Africa has existed. Time and
again It has appealed to the United
States, its foster father. for assistance.
Congress Is now considering an elab-
crate plan to give financial aid to this
bankrupt little country, covering $4,000
square miles. The Liberians, descend
ants Of American slaves, who control
the government, are only 10000 in
number, not one for each square mile
of territory. Combating their au-
th0rity and constantly menacing the
stability Of the frail government, are
. million and . half blacks, natives Of
the country. These savages-for re-
peated efforts to educate them have
proved futile-are divided into twelve
tribes, each tribe has distinct Ian
guage and religion. The tribes are
constantly at war with one another and
often insurrection against the govern
ment.
The English, az well as the French
especially the former. have played an
important part in the affairs of Libe-
ria, for constant neglect on the part
Of the United States has caused the
Liberians to believe the greatest nation
of freemen had forsaken them-they
have turned to the English for aid sew
eral times. In one Of the greatest In
surrections Of the hostile tribes the
Liberians were only able to regain con-
troll Of the government and crush the
rebellion by the material aid of the
English.
English territory bounds one side Of
the Liberian republic. This fact Is
reason enough for the British to show
q friendly feeling toward a weak and
struggling country. French terrific
ry bounds two sides of the country and
the Atlantic Ocean the fourth.
It is the coast line of Liberia that
gives the government 80 much con-
cern. Monrovia. the capital, with its
population Of ten thousand is on the
coast. The little republic has no ma
Wy. Just now the United States cruis-
er Birmingham is on the way there
to patrol the coast. She is soon to
be relieved by the cruiser Des Moines,
which will stay Indefinitely on the Ii
berian coast. The sending of Unit
ed States warship was an action taken
recently at the request Of the Liberian
government. The presence of war
ship. 80 the Liberians say, will have
! strong moral effect in holding the re-
bellious tribes In check; will encourage
the Liberians to renewed governmental
vigor as 1t will be living demonstra-
tion of the fact that the United States
has not forsaken the black republic.
Recently q government commission
returned from Liberia. It went there
by order Of Congress. which was NOV
cd by direct appeal of the Lberian
government. The commission has franz
cd = plan for the United States to give
moneyed assistance to Liberia This
plan has been Endorsed by the state de-
partment. and President Taft submit
ted It to congress with strong rec
ommendation that Congress awaken to
it, moral responsibility to the black
republic Of Africa. and enact into law
the suggestion of the commission,
thereby rehabilitating the wobbling
government.
Liberia, should the United States fail
her now, may appeal to England or
France. The former Is desirous OF get
ting political foothold In the country.
Coming In as financial basker, it is
said, would constitute cause enough for
England to claim possession Of the
country. before many years.
England and France have been after
Liberia for years. The United States
was continuously fighting diplomatic
battles with those countries from 1880
to 1890 In settling boundary disputes.
Great Britain. however. in recent years
has not been 90 hostile. She has been
desirous Of posing as Liberals best
friend. by ousting the United States
and. It 10 said. In furtherance Of her
policy In 1897, entered into an agree
ment with the United States. which de-
clared the intention Of both countries
to prevent any other nation from en-
croaching on Liherian erritory.
Affairs Of the black republic have
many times been before the congress
Of the United States. In 1S43 COM
mittee Of the house Of representatives
recommended that the United States
take over Liberia az colony, but the
~rv ~ avnua - = 1aavn xAn< -. .oacoa
when the subject was broached, was
too much for the legislators and the
colony idea was abandoned. Prior to
the civil war this government main
tanned . squadron on the west coast OF
Africa to suppress the slave trade.
The naval officers lent their air and
assistance to the Liberians In their
troubles with the hostile natives.
4 u 1885 Congress directed the secre-