Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-09-25
h UT Of Liberia, pale, shrunken,
malaria-stricken. there came
not long ago a young New
y Hampshire man who for two

years has been residing In the
West African republic. In Washington
and In his native New Hampshire hills
he shook off the fever. he took on his
accustomed modicum OF flesh and mus
Gle and the brilliant sparkle returned
to his eyes. Then, refreshed by his
leave, he returned to the little country
where he is striving to help a proud,
but somewhat primitive people to real.
ize their ideals OF o civilized and ma
terially and morally prosperous self.
governing nation.
Reed Paige Clark is his name. In
two years he has made that name IA
nous In West Africa 1t and the per
sonality behind 1t are subjects of grave
discussion in the foreign Offices OF the
great nations OF Europe.
On the western coast OF Africa to-
day there are few men more powerful
than he. More than any one man he is
responsible for the wellbeing OF an in.
dependent African nation. For ten
years, and until his going first to Ii
IBERIA, he was a committee clerk In the
United States senate. the secretary to
Senator Burnham OF New Hampshire.
With this training behind him, he
seized his opportunity 10 do a really
great work in governing and he is
making good.
Friends tell him that a prolonged
stay in Monrovia, the capital OF Ii
IBERIA, lowlying on a fever coast, will
mean his death. The climate is one
unusually severe on the European and
the native American.
Why He 10 There.
To explain Just what he is doing In
Liberia II is necessary to delve a bit
into the history Of the country. It
will be recalled that In 1922 American
and European societies opposed to
slavery and desirous OF helping the
black man established Liberia on the
west coast OF Africa as n colony for
freed slaves. July 20, 1S47, Liberia was
proclaimed a free and independent ma.
ton, established constitution modelled
on the American constitution and set
up in business among the nations OF
the world.
Thither, and from time to time since,
migrated American negroes. These and
their descendants to the total number
OF some 10000. are the dominating
population in Liberia. though there is
q total population OF some 100000,
made up chiefly Of bush people. or saw.
ages. Fifty different dialects are
spoken by them. Only n negro can be.
come a citizen; only citizen can own
property, and only property owner
can exercise the franchise. The 10000
retain the governing control OF the
country. A few descendants OF original
natives also have gained citizenship.
Liberia has q coast line OF some $50
miles. and It's boundaries run back into
the timbered hills about 200 miles. The
British colony of Sierra Leone and the
French colony OF the Ivory coast close
in the country by land, these two form.
ing three sides OF its boundary, and
the sea It's fourth. Germany, too, has
stake in the country. since the great.
er portion OF the trade is In German
hands.
In 1909. Liberia sent commission 20
the United States to ask the aid OF this
country. always her very good friend.
in strengthening out her financial din.
cultIes. During the following year an
American commission, headed by DR..
Roland p. Falkner. went to Liberia and
made q study Of conditions. As a re.
suit OF the commissions recommenda.
ton In 1911 an agreement was entered