Evening star., 1915-01-20
FIGHT TF0RL|BER|A
NOW IS PROPOSED
American Colonization Society
Would Force Restoration
of Claimed Territory.
NATIONS ACCUSED OF
DUREss AND COERCION
United States to Be Asked to Make
Representations to France and
Great Britain.

With the end in view to compel
France and Great Britain to restore
territory regarded as wrested from
Liberia by duress and coercion and
without shadow of justification and to
prevent further encroachments In
prospect, the century-old corporation
of private individuals which colonized
and founded the negro republic on the
west coast of Africa, the American
Colonization Society, is preparing to
assert joint sovereignty rights with
Liberia and distinct property rights
in the alienated territory.
Liberia will be called upon to give
account of her stewardship of lands
the titles of which are vested in the
parent corporation. Liberals answer
will be that certain tracts of Liberlan
territory have been unfairly removed
Including part of the holdings of the
American Colonization Society, ana
that the republic is unable to give ac-
count thereof. The American Colonial
of American citizens, will then appeal
to the United States to take up this
cause. and make diplomatic representa-
tionS to both France and Great Britain
ty and property rights in the areas an
neXed.
Would Reopen Dispute.
This procedure would reopen the dis
pute between Liberia and Great Britain
regarding sovereignty and title to ter
ritory between the Shebar and Mamma
rivers, subject of a boundary dispute
which arose in 1852, an area subsequent
ly occupied and seized and annexed to
the British colony Of Sierra Leone. There
is about 120 miles of coast line involved,
including harbor facilities better than
exist in the compressed limits OF the
negro republic.
To the northwest. France acquired by
forced sale from Liberia about sew
enty miles of coast line and interior
land, comprising some of the most val
liable area of the Gold and grain coasts.
This territory is rich in gold and other
minerals, including rubies and other
gems, and is a highway Of the ivory
commerce with the interior Of Africa.
For Creation of Commission.
At the annual meeting of the Ameri-
can Colonization Society, held in the
Colorado building last evening. the cor
poration voted the creation of COM
mission to represent the American Col
onization Society in investigation Of
the situation and to make recommends
tions of final procedure. The commits
sion, not yet designated by the chair,
will consider the various questions
arising in connection with the alleged
alienation of sovereignty and property
of the American Colonization Society;
the right or authority of Liberia, under
duress or otherwise, without the sane
ton of the parent corporation. to cede
or of Great Britain and France to an
mex territory in Liberia belonging to
and owned by the American Colonial
tion Society. and all other questions
involved.
The right or authority of Liberia,
under duress or otherwise, without our
sanction. to cede or of Great Britain
and France to annex territory in Lii
IBERIA belonging to and owned by the
American Colonization Society must be
determined by this corporation, and any
and all lost equities restored through
the diplomatic agencies of the nations
involved
Will Animate Procedure.
This declaration of principle, set
forth by President H. L. johnson, last