New-York tribune., 1910-08-14
THE FUTURE OF LIBERIA
CompIIcations Over the Amer
lean Plan to Liquidate Debt.
THE POWERS NOT AGREED
England Willing TO Support
Scheme-European Nations
Fear Loss of influence.
TBy Cable to The Tribune J

London. Aug 13.-The complications
over Liberia are not dreaded by Dr.
Falkner. who is seeking to pay OF the
countrv,s national debt and obtain the
services oF American administrators as
representatives Of the new body OF cred
ftors. nor is there any opposition from
British companies to the proposed loan
and sIpervision of the receipts and eX-
penditures in the negro republic by Amer
lean experts. Two companies here have
invested considerable capital in the
country and are anxious to have sta
HE government and full discharge Of
all its Official obligations They do not
expect unfair treatment from the Ameri-
can supervisors, and prefer TO deal
with a single power rather than with
three OF four foreign governments. Sir
Harry Johnston and other British in
vestors in Liberia frankly concede the
necessity for financial reorganization.
and express the hope that DR.. Falkner's
scheme may be carried out.
Difficulties are arising. however, from
the jealousies of European powers. Ger
many has as much commerce as mas
England with Liberia. and insists on be
ing adequately represented in the inter
national board of control. England and
France, having territory adjacent to the
BLACK Republic claim superior rights,
and have made the largest investment
of capital in concessions. America
without having commerce, frosuer
disputes or capital locked up in the
coast or hinterland, has the largest SEN
tirnental interest in the maintenance OF
the independence of the republic and IS
in the best position for undertaking 1ls
deliverance from impending dangers
France and England are likely TO agree
on this solution, provided that Germany
can be kept cut of the scheme OF inter
national control but this cannot be cas-
lily arranged when German bankers are
prepared to advance their share OF the
new loan and the Berlin Foreign Office
ssss e. plausible argument for JOINT su-
servision, based on the increased trade
with Nonrovia and other ports. Holland .
sIso has considerable interests at stake,
since her trade with Liberia is seven
times as great as the trade Of France
sith the republic.
The reorganization OF Liberian finance
bv France and England cannot be salts
factory to Germany and Holland. where
It would be considered the first step tow
ard the partition Of the country between
its nearest neighbors, nor would an un-
due expansion Of German influence on
the west coast be tolerated in London
and Paris
The liquidation OF the Liberian debt
and the introduction Of administrative
reform, with the good Offices of a disin-
terested power like America. may secure
the independent existence Of the Black
Republic and keep its door open to the
commerce Of all countries on equal
terms, Yet it is a most troublesome mat
ter to arrange by diplomatic methods as
II involves the esta blishment OF a finan-
cial control similar TO the work begun in
Egypt by bankers syndicates fifty years
ago The European partners insist on
having their own interests protected and
are Indifferent TO purely sentimental con-
siderations. on which the American in
tervention is grounded
The American Ambassador has moth
ing to say about Liberian affairs, since
he prefers to work in silence, but he is
busily occupied with negotiations with
the Foreign Office on several subjects.
Indeed, the dog days find him more &C
lively employed than he was when min
listers were in town. He is we'll sup
ported by MI Dearing, in the absence
Of Mr.. Phillips in America and obtains
at each week end needed rest at his
country home. There are no serious
complications in any quarter, but Nicar-
aguan as we'll as Liberian affairs re-
ouire close watching, and there are signs
Of uneasiness in Constantinople. where
the purchase of large supplies OF am
rnunition by the Turkish government is
ominouS-