Los Angeles herald., 1910-03-17
Liberia
By Frederic j. HaSkin

in Africa, and Miss Mahoney, mis-
sionary who has spent years among
them declare that the civilized Libe-
rian is not what he once was. Bishop
Hartzell says that polygamy is being
preached and practiced and that Ii
centiousness is on the increase. Where
once Sabbath observance was as rigid
as in the sternest of New England
towns, a wide open day is the order
now. Miss Mahoney declares that once
a hundred civilized men of Liberia
could meet and defeat thousand
bushmen in jungle fight, but that
now odds are about even. She says
that once the Liberians could build as
good boats as were to be bought from
England or Germany. but that now
few competent boat builders are to be
found.
With the contempt the natives feel
for the civilized element, 1t is little
wonder that the tribes are not enthusi-
astic in embracing the Christian relg-
ion. on the other hand. Moslemism
appeals to them, as 1t does not carry
with ii such a strict code of morals.
Many of the tribes are falling in with
Mohammedanism, and this portion of
Africa probably will become spiritual
battle-ground between the Cross and
the Crescent. One advantage of the
missionary is that the ambition of the
natives to learn to read and write
brings their children into the mission
school and thus under Christian influ-
ence.
Among the dozen or moro native
tribes the Kroos are perhaps the best
known. They are the most muscular
of all African tribes. For generations
they have served as sailors on the ves-
sells engaged in the African coast trade,
and enjoy the reputation of always
possessing a steady nerve and a cool
head. They are passionately fond of
freedom, and while slave trading was
going on in Africa they successfully
resisted all attempts to take them.
When an individual was captured. he
Invariably took his life rather than
go into servitude, consequently the
kroos soon were found to be unprofit-
able as slaves. They have sort OF
hereditary chief, who conducts their
business with other tribes and the Ii
berian government. He is a sort of
minister of foreign relations. The act
ual government of the tribe is in the
hands of the elders, whose badge OF
office is an iron ring worn about the
leg. They meet and make laws gov
erning the tribe, and act as judges in
the few cases that cannot be settled
by the individuals themselves.
Another tribal officer is the presi-
dent, who keeps the symbols and seals
of tho government, and uses them in
accordance with established regula-
tions He also conducts Il sort of
twentieth century edition OF the an
cient city of refuge. Any tribesman
accused of a crime may flee TO his
house for protection, and his security
is assured until he has been proved
guilty. Land is held by the tribe as a
whole, but is parceled out to actual
tllers to be held by them so long as
cultivation continues. once this ceases
the tract reverts to the government.
one who lands at Monrovia. the capi-
tai of Liberia, on a gala occasion may
see all sorts and conditions of negroes,
from the breech-cloth bushman to the
polished university graduate. Some
will be dressed a la mode, others may
have discarded silk hat and hickory
cotton shirt, and still others a thread
bare Prince Albert coat and bare legs.
When the natives come to town they
usually bring enough palm oil and 9TH
er commodities to pay the expenses or
the trip.
Each tribe has its own peculiar dia-
lect and customs, but one thing that Is
common to all is the welcome extended
to the periodical visitation of the driv-
er ant Tropical weather and tropical
habits are not conducive to extreme
cleanliness in household affairs, and
nearly all of the huts which constitute
the homes of the poorer classes of Ii
IBERIA become infested with vermin.
Periodically the driver ant sets out on
big foraging expeditions, great hordes
of them visiting every place that prom
ises q juicy bug or other toothsome
insect. Therefore house cleaning in the
wilds of Liberia consists of giving the
driver ant access to every nook and
Granny.
The man who is now president OF
Liberia is the first one ever elected
who was not preacher. He is Arthur
Barclay, a full -blooded West India ne
gro. Fighting Bob Evans tells an
amusing story of a ceremonial visit
he made to a Liberian ruler when he
was a captain in the navy While
talking with the president the swish OF
silk skirts was heard. and the gallant
old sea-dog instinctively arose. A
duskv woman came in and was pre-
sented as the first lady of Liberia.
Fighting Bob, acknowledging the in
PRODUCTION, said: "Howdy, auntie, how
are you?" The Liberian president was
amused and laughingly inquired:
'Nhat part of the south are you
from" Evans acknowledged to haV-
ing been born in Floyd county, Vir-
ginia. well, that's a coincidence" re-
marked the president. I'm from tn
Old Dominion myself 1 was born III
Dinwlddie county"
+or,vlos ~ idols and IL hanpened I'm