New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-02
Harding Urges
) Million Loan
For Liberia
Writes Senate That u. S.
Is Under Obligations to
Assist Negro Republic;
Cites War Time Promise
Hughes Supports Request
Declares That Financial Aid
Would Promote Trade
on West African Coast
From The Tribume's Washington Bureau

FROM The Tribune's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Aug. /. - President
Harding asserted to-day in a letter to
the Senate that the United States was
under obligation to assist Liberia. The
President accordingly asked legislation
to make possible the loan of sb,-
100000 to the negro republic which
was arranged for during the war.
President Harding's request was sup
ported by a letter from Secretary
Hughes pointing out that the Republic
OF Liberia was established largely
through the efforts of American citi-
zens and that its present financial diff
fcultles were caused largely by the
assistance it rendered in the World
War, and that the United States was
morally obligated. Secretary Hughes
added that the loan was highly i'm
portant also to protect and promote
American commercial interests on the
west coast of Africa.
The President sent the letter of
Secretary Hughes to the Vice Presi-
dent and the Speaker, accompanied by
his own brief letter. They were read
to the Senate, but owing to absence
Of the Speaker were not read to the
House
The letters were referred in the Sem
ate to the Finance Committee While
there is support for the loan in the
committee, it is also expected it will
encounter strong Senate opposition.
1T is impossible to escape the con-
vlction that we have an obligation
which the executive branch Of the
government cannot discharge without
the properly expressed approval of
the Congress- President Harding's
letter said.
The communication from Secretary
Hughes said in part:
AN examination of the course of
the negotiations produces the convic-
ton that commitments have been
made by this government which i'm
pose moral obligation to make the
loans. The negotiations were had and
proceeded to the point of an an
nounced commitment, at a time when
the broad authority conferred in con-
nectlon with the prosecution of war
was adequate to the contamination of
thority may not be deemed longer to
exist, while making it impossible to
proceed without Congressional sane
ton, does not in my judgment change
the TACT that assurances were given
which should be made good.
ut should also be pointed out, in
approaching the moral obligations of
this government, that the Republic of
Liberia, which had her origin largely
through the efforts of American citi-
zens, and at various times has sought
the aid and counsel of this govern
ment, decided upon the entrance of
the United States into the war to
make common cause with this country
and the Allies against Germany. It
was largely in consequence of this
participation that the economic situa-
ton of Liberia was imperiled and
that her government was compelled to
make appeal for financial aid. 1t was
IN these circumstances that Liberia
was assured that the United States,
her traditional friend who had been
generous in assistance to the other
nations fighting against Germany
would come to her relief"