The Detroit times., 1910-09-05
]. S. HELP ALL THAT
CAN SAVE LIBERIA
European Nations Ready TO Grab
Only Absolutely Negro Republic
In the World.

frontage than any other strip of surf
saoaked coast on the map. After SO
years OF Official existence she's still
facing the same old reliable crisis.
just now come to head-the problem
or a black race attempting to work
out its destiny independently, while
white colonies on each side grab on
a chunk OF land at every opportunity.
Europe Is worried about what the
United States intends to do In the
way Of maintaining order and pro-
tecting Liberia. She has a feeling
that once the United States gains
a foothold In the old world Ameri-
can ambition may continue the in
vasion. Aside from disavowing any
intention of establishing a protect
crate, officials here have little to
say.
For years Liberia has been on the
verge Of bankruptcy, with Great
Britain and France each keeping an
eye peeled for the expected oppor-
tunity to wipe out entirely this ten
ement house Of liberty.
Liberia Is that strip on the west
coast of Africa to which an Amer
lean humanitarian organization be-
gan sending freed negroes In 1921.
The British colony of Sierra Leone
touches 1t on the northwest. and the
French ivory coast colony on the
southeast. Originally about the size
of New York state, 1t has lost ter
ritory here and there through Brit
ish or French occupation ito pre-
serve order" with the result that its
coast line IL cut down from $50 to
$50 miles. It's interior, of uncer-
tain depth, extends back $50 or 300
miles.
This territory was originally pur-
chased byp private subscription from
the black lords of the soil' for q
miscellaneous collection OF bright
ornaments. food supplies and other
trading junk. In 1847 the colony OF
expatriatcd American negroes felt
strong enough to stand alone, and
was recognized as the republic OF
IDLUiberia with Monrovia--named
after President Monroe-as It's capi-
tai. It's constitution. nag and OF.
fficial customs generally are modelled
closely after those OF the United
States-with the striking exception
that none but black men are permit
ted to vote, to hold ofice, or to owl
land. It is the only absolutely BLACK
republic in the world. -eS,
Population estimates vary great
ly, but conservative figures place
the total of civilized blacks al
10000 to $4,000, while the savage
tribesmen of the hinterland total
900 900 or more. The latter have
never, until lately, recobnized the
authority OF the weak Liberian gov
eminent, but have maintained their
own kings and chiefs OF primeval
style. Between savage and civilized
there exists a mutual disgust. Grad
ually, however, Liberian influence
has extended into the hinterland.
Liberia has held aloof from op'
portunities for developing her rich
resources OF mahogany, rubber and
mineral wealth British trading
vessels conduct extensive smuggling
operations up and down the coast
defying customs regulations. The
income Of the government has been
so small that 1t IL continually on
the verge OF bankruptcy. One sec
rotary OF the treasury immortalized
himself in Liberian history by
actually keeping little ready cash
! in the strong box.
The total debt, financed by British
capital amounts to over $l,O0O,OO0
while the annual revenues do not
reach a tenth of that sum.
without an army, or money to
finance one. order has been difficult
| to maintain In the interior. Two
old 1unks once served as navy. but
both rotted into the brine and Gus
toms patrol was impossible.
The Kru-boys, the only native
tribe displaying much energy, stu
ated on the coast, acted as middle
men for the foreign smugglers and
the interior tribes, rum and rifles
flowing one way, while rubber came
the other. A system of indenture
| by which the Kru labor Is farmed
out to contractors, Is said by some
investigators to closely border or
actual slavery.
| The senate of nine members and
the house of representatives, mum
bering 13, Is the most serious tnlnt
In the republic. II debates world
questions, develops insurgent, lingo
conservative and other parties and
plays politics with real American
spirit.
Little outbreaks on the borders
sometimes manufactured - have
been signals for England AND
France to push forward their IRON
tiers. Only the fear OF America 6
uncertain attitude has prevented
assimilation" England made her
financial interest reason for plac
ing Liberian customs In the hands
OF an English collector and forcing
Liberia TO organize a little army
with an English commander.
Open threats of obliterating Ii
IBERIA came from London. The IL
berians. almost hopeless because oi
American Indifference, saw dissolu'
ton in sight two or three years
ago. They dispatched delegation
TO the United States to make one
last appeal :.
Secretary Root declared we should
help Liberia. President Roosevelt
agreed with him. A commission. Of
which Booker T. washington was
member, visited Liberia to inves
tigate. That's about as far as
American help has extended thus
far.
ish.
Detroit school OF Music (Pisncl:
-06 Broadway. Fn. tto ak for en- !