The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1910-04-07

Plead for Soldiers.
Washington, D. c., April .6-Libe-
ria has occupied large pleoe in the
pablo eyes within the past fortnight.
The current dispatches have told of
the outbreak OF the natives near Cape
Palmas against tho general govern
ment. and Of the hurried departure
or the cruiser Birmingham to the
scene. to assist the administration
or president Barclay to preserve or
der and prevent foreign encroach-
mtnt upon Liberian territory under
the: cover OF ap}arent civil war. The
seriousness Of tho situation, as re-
ported from the African Republic,
seems to have warranted the sending
OF another gunboat to the Liberian
coast. and q second vessel is being
placed In commission at Hampton
Roads for a relief expedition. AS is
well-known, the United States is in
tcrVeninc.'n this matter by virtue of
IT, glesK''rmitting such aid, entered
init 3(1S6o. -.
The report Of the Liberian Com
mission. named by President Taft.
10 make a thorough investigation Of
The political, industrial and social
conditions existing in. the country
across the sea, has been the subject
OF general discussion during the past
week. both in Congress and out. The
lccomm endationS of the Commission,
transmitted to Congress by President
Taft with q special message OF ap-
Droval, were, in substance. as fol,
lowsf : z.t> 1ts1> f : tsas, '+.ss 2s, -
t hat the United States extend
aid to Liberia In the settlement Of
pending ~boundary disputes
2. That the United States enable
Liberia to- refund it's debt by assum-
ing as guarantee for the payment of
obligations under such an arrangement
the control and collection of the Ii
Derian customs.
>. That the United States lend it's
assistance in the reform of internal
finance.
1. That "the United States lend It's
aid in organizing and drilling an ade-
quate constabulary or frontier police
force.
5. That the United States establish
Il research station in Liberia
b. That the United States reopen
the question Of establishing a naval
coaling station in Liberia.
Describing unfavorabie attitude
OF the foreign powers toward Liberia,
and showing how Liberals resources
and financial interest, as well as the
integrity OF her domain, were menaced
by coVetous European governments.
the Commission concludes it's report
with this summary Of the case:
THE logic Of the situation in the
minds of the 7Liberians points there
fore to the United States as the only
country which can give them effective
aid. OF all Liberals friends, she alone
is open to no suspician of ulterior de-
sign upon Liberia, and she alone can
give assurances to Great Britain, Ger
many and France that the legitimate
interests Of those countries in Liberia
whatever they may be, will not be
placed in jeopardy by her actions"
The popular Judgment Of the diplo-
mats and laymen in Washington, as
we'll Of Congress, is that the situation
IS hopeless for the little nation, unless
thq United States steps in and solves
her problems for her--and this is pret-
ty sure to be done
United States Minister Ernest Lyon
sailed on the Birmingham for Mon
rovia. with sealed instructions for
Which he had long been waiting, and
last week our Military Attache, Lieut.
Benjamin o. Davis, Of the 10th United
States Cavalry, followed him. Lieut..
Davis was accompanied to the Liberi~
an capital by his wife and child. and
Is prepared to make as long a stay
there as the circumstances demand
Miss Mary Y. Dckerson. sister Of
Mrs. Davis, went rs far as New YORK
to sec the party off.
Lieut.. Davis will be called upon to
lend hand in the organization of the
biberian constabulary, and his mill
tary experience will give him all espe-
cial fitness for this arduous task. Help
will probably be extended him from
the regular army Of the United States;
or by retired soldiers who are phys
ically able to undertake the work.
Prominently mentioned in this CON
nectiOn is Sergeant Jesse j. James.
now in the War Department at Wash
ington, but who won distinction in the
PhiIippipesasS an pficep,of the "4Sth
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