Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1914-10-23

into by which New York bankers
loaned to Liberia approximately ST.
100000 for 40 years. This was enough
to refund all the outstanding foreign
loans to put Liberia on her feet
financially.
1t was provided In the agreement
that foreign receivership should be
established to collect Liberals customs
revenue. her head money revenues and
the rubber tax. The receivership was
to consist of an American comptroller,
and British, French and German sub
comptrollers
These four were appointed by the
Libor ian government on nomination
by their respective countries. They are
officers of Liberia, not of their own
nation, and are paid out of it's receipts
Mr.. Clark, as the American member
Of the receivership, is comptroller Of
the Liberian revenues. and this is the
work upon which he is engaged.
Country Is Rich.
Slender, strong featured, his dark
hair shot with gray, Mr. Clark in APP
pearance is the typical New England
university man-alert, alive, keen. in.
telligent. And with it all he has the
mark that long public service in Wash,
! ington puts on its men-the mark Of
courteousness, simplicity and frank
ness in demeanor and expression. In
conversation at the University club
| during his stay In Washington Mr..
Clark told something of the country.
+, Said he:
Liberia is extraordinarily rich in
natural products, but has been little
| developed. No less that % varieties
| OF rubber-producing plants grow there.
Rubber production Is staple indus
!, try, though most Of the rubber comes
| from the natural and not the Guilt
waited groves. Palm oil and oil-bearing
palm nuts are other large products.
With an unlimited market for palm
oil, there are great possibilities In this
industry
1.-THE coffee plant Is Indigenous I'd
Liberia. The elephant coffee berry
grows there in abundance. It has a
peculiar flavor, the taste for which Ia
acquired. but, once acquired, one pre-
fers this to all other coffees. The ele.
plant berry also Is used In producing
fine blends. Brazil and other coffee
growing countries obtained their orig
inal stock in many instances from Ii
IBERIA, and still go there for scions for
use In plant breeding.
1.-The coastal country of Liberia IL
low and, IN places, marshy. No harbors
exist, but at Monrovia 10 a splendid
roadstead Relatively small sums ex
pended IN the construction of break
waters would create an ideal harbor
The level country is well covered BY
vegetation.
development Of the natural re
sources Of the country has hardly be
gun. What stands in the way Is lacl
of transportation. There are no rail
roads, practically no roads. have
never seen wheeled vehicle In Ii
IBERIA, save small hand trucks in US,
In the stores in the towns. hav,
never seen a beast Of burden in tn,
country.
Travel 10 all on foot and one can g,
only 10 or IL miles day through thu
Jungle All goods are transported b!
hand. Consider that It takes a man a
, least two days to carry to the Sci
] coast q load OF palm Oil or nuts o
rubber. and you can readily see tina
the cost OF transportation just abou
, eats up the selling price of the product
Nevertheless trade thrives. The 81
/ tent to which 1t would reach witt
= transportation and with intelligent d.
/. velopment Of the natural resources
4 almost unbelievable"