New-York tribune., 1922-03-28
Fight Over Agreement Is
Expected in Congress
To-day, Based on Mem
ace to Monroe Doctrine
Our Army Officers
10 Create Guard
Financial Commission Is
Planned to Take Hand
in Republics Affairs

FROM me Tri6uae's Vash,nqton B4reGu
WASHINGTON, March 27.-Congrcs-
sional approval is expected to be asked
tomorrow by the House Ways and
Means Committee for government
credit to Liberia Of $5,O00OOO and in
return therefor, sanction for a fnan
cial plan and depository agreement be-
tween the two governments which
would place the African republic di-
rcctly under the control Of the United
States. The draft Of the proposal, dis
closed tonight, was described by a
member of the committee, who will
open vigorous fight against it as
Establishing an extremely vicious prcc-
edcnt," cndangcring the future rccog
milton Of thc Monroe Doctrine.
The agreement was signed by The
Secretary of State and tho Ljbcrian
Plcnary Commission on October 2S.
1921. 1t would become effective after
Congress has passed joint rcsolu-
tion prepared by the Treasury Depart
ment carrying the necessary authoriza-
tioNs.
Direction Of virtually all the more
important affairs Of government Of
Liberia would be placed under the
agreement in an American financial
commission headed by commissioner
with a salary of $4,000 TO be dcsig
mated by the President.
"Ths commission Of two men would
.!avc all the power to put Liberia on
its feet and settle all its obligations
without appeal" it was declared. "Thc
excuse for all this is said to be our
moral obligation to the little republic
with neither army nor navy, because 1t
declared war against Germany on
August 4, 1917"
Approached United States for Loan
The preamble Of the Joint resolu-
tion being considered by the Ways and
Means Committee states the reason as
an consequence Of the war the eco
nomic situation Of Liberia has been
impcriled and its government has
made urgent representation to the
United States for financial aid and has
sent its plenipotentiarie TO Washing
ton for the purpose OF concluding q
loan.
"This government being actuated by
feelings OF traditional friendship and
"solicitious for it's we'll being and con-
JlnucQ IuucDcHueICC anu LOl tHc pcdSc-
full development and future advance
ment OF the negro race
Control during the life of the loan
of all the assigned revenues and re-
ceipts Of the Libcrian Republic is
vested, under Article of the argree-
lnent, in the financial commissioner
The section continues:
"All the Liberian officials who may
be appointed by tho government OF
Liberia to serve in connection with the
collection. application, and admins
tration Of the assigned revenues and
receipts shall serve under the financial
commission. Any such official may be
suspended for cause, without pay, by
the financial commission, who may also
temporarily fill vacancies"
Patrol Guard Created.
To assure the collection Of the reve-
nues and receipts land the enforce
lnent of the laws, rules and regulations
pertaining thereto, the government OF
Liberia, upon the request Of the tinan-
cial commission, shall make bylaw ap-
propriate provisions for placing and
mainta ining at the disposal Of the Fl
nancial commission an adequate reve-
nue guard and patrol service, both Oh
| land and sea, and the expenses Of such
revenue guard and patrol service shall
! be paid by the financial commission out
of the assigned revenue and receipts.
"That for the further security Of
the assigned revenues and receipts the
government Of Liberia shall maintain
frontier force sufficient for the main
tenance Of internal peace within the
territories OF Liberia. All salaries
wages and other expenses OF the from
tier force shall be paid on behalf OF
the government of Liberia by the
financial commission
The strength OF this force could not
( be increased or reduced without the
(Cnntinu,d on naxt naasl