The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-03

I
Is from Liberia has already been
announced, gave "A Sun reporter
an encouraging account of the present
conditions in Liberia.
In speaking of the missionary work
Of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
which is under his supervision, he says
his missionaries have met with unusual
success among the heather natives in
the last few years. Thousands have
been brought under the influence of the
Christian religion. and the awakening
has been So general that his work is
embarrassed for want of both men aud
money.
When first assigned 10 that field about
ten years ago the entire membership OF
| his church officially reported was 1901,
| whereas now il is "A little short of 10000.
He also reports that there are enrolled
| in the schools If his church . 800 pupils.
all except about 400 being gathered
! from the children of heather tribes.
| He says one of the soreSt needs FOR the
proper and rapid development Of the
| people of Liberia is we'll equipped in
| dustrial school.
/ As To the political life of the little
black republic. he says that the ad-
| ministration Of President ID. T.. Howard,
who is serving his first term is con-
| sdered a pronounced success. Presi-
dent Howard is the third son Of the
| soil to he elected President. all the
! others having been born either in the
! United States or the West Indies. While
he is an acknowledged shrewd and
capable politician, he bears the reputa-
ton of being thoroughly honest and an
intense lover Of his country.
| Ia. Ia il in
with the present financial plan. under
a reccivership, which has been in
augurated during the past two Years
through the good offices of the United
| States. and Liberia is enjoying de-
gree of financial prosperity hitherto un-
known. Not only is more cash money
being collected from import and export
duties, hut all official salaries. interest
on the recent loan and other ohliga-
tons are being met fully and promptly.
! Reed Page Clarke of New Hampshire
| is the receiver general
One of Liberals most serious prob
lens has been that of keeping order ON
the interior boundaries between her
! European neghbors and herself among
The native unCivllZed peoples. For this
purpose there was organized some years
ago the Liberia frontier force. and yet
the disorders complained Of were not
adjusted. The general belief was that
the frontier force was at that time
i hong used 10y its European officers
against the interests Of Liberia
Under the present scheme all the off,
GERS are Americans, chosen through the
advice of Ma ior Charles \. Young Of the
| United States army, who is the military
adviser of the lhcrian Government.
| Major Wilson Ballard is the commander
I Of the frontier force and has ASSOC
ciatcd with him Capts. Richard II, Nrw-
ton and T.. T Hawkins and lieuts. j. II.
Martin and w. II. York. Major Ballard
and Capt. Newton haV" been connected
with this military feature Of tn" Gov
Crumcnt ever since the r"CciVorship
went into effect.
Both have seen service In the TAR
Western part of the United states and IN
III" philippin" Islands, ana it is "vidrlt
that the discipline which the n';ro
soldiers of tn" United States army
undergo fits them for a very hirh grade
Of usefulness in a dnicult III III lik" that
of the junglcs of Africa.
The Bishop is enthusiastic In his
declaration that Major Young and the
two officers named have proved them
selves not only "A great blessing in the
l.iborian situation but "A credit to the
United States The other officers named,
who have been more recently appointed.
have made good start and much Is
| ieXpected Of them,