The Wilmington morning star., 1947-07-20
hammer Liberian Minister
Tells FNation Now 1OO

' "A|i O. view 10 pur-
CHASING a suitable site for coloni.
zatlon. Two years later the United
olates Congress appropriated
$loO,O 600 for the society's use sfor
the keep and deportation of liber,
ated Negroes"
In 1920 aboard the "Elizabeth.' :,
the tlrst group of colonists sailed
1or the promised land, happy in
the thought that they were en-
loute to the home of their ances.
tors where they could exercise the
right of self-determination in gov,
eminent.
The ~.ond contingent of en-.
tnuslasts sailed in 1921 on the
Nautlllus' under the command
OF Capt. R. F. Stockton. who
played an important part in the
negotiations to acquire land from
native cniefs for the colonists.
Much could be written
ing the many trials and tribula-
tons encountered by the intrepid
colonlsts during the first months
of their stay in Africa. Great was
tneir establishment. Before ul1i.
mately securing a permanent foot
hold in the jungle it was neces.
Sorry to move from Bushod Island
to Providence Island, now Mon
rovla's most historical showplace.
due to hostility of aborigines.
Moreover, realization of their
dreams was further impeded by
the ravages of Wild beasts, dis.
ease and the rigors Of Indictment
weather. But they overcame these
handicaps.
The formation Of colonization so.
%cieties in New York, Pennsyl-
vania, Maryland n d Mississippi
stimulated and facilitated the vol
untary immigration of freedmen
to Africa. Between 1922 and 1928
Liberia became a commonwealth.
Monrovia, the capital, was named
for President Monroe.
Boundary disputes, controvar-
sizes between Liberia and Euro
pean colonial powers over the
commemorative a in the
realm of international affairs, and
clashes with slave traders were
m%otivating reasons for Liberia de-
claring it's independence as a
separate, autonomous state. This
historic step was made possible by
the American colonization society
officially declaring that the time
had come for the commonwealth
to assume full responsibility in the
conduct of it's domestic and
foreign affairs.
Until 1886, Liberia was constant
ly beset by recurring financial diff
ficulties. Foreign loans did little
to improve condition. of the treas
ury, as much OF the money re-
ceived from a new loan was used
to liquidate payments due on
previous loans. Liberals last loan
was negotiated in 1926 when Fire
stone, through the Finance Corpo-
ration of America. with the Ma
tional City Bank as fiscal agent,
issued bonds making 5 1000, 900
available to the government. Only
81. 500, 600 was borrowed, which
had been reduced to $500, 900 at
the close of 1916. Liberia, in 1915,
retired bonds TO the amount Of
$3.50, 900 in addition to normal
amortization payments.
Since 1886 Liberia has balanced
its budget annually. Its finances
are in the healthiest condition in
| all history. Revenues for 1916 hit
a new high. The African republic
was one of the countries whose
financial position was materially
improved during World War II.
also of health, economic, educa-
tlonal, agricultural and other mis-
sions from the United States have
done much 10 increase Liberals
buying power.
Employment of hundreds of Lii
berians on the port project, now
in course of construction at Mon.
rovia at a cost of yer SIS, 600, 900
from funds advanced by the Unit
ed States, has been another con-
tributory factor. In 1912 the pound
sterling was supIlanted by the
dollar as Liberals legal medium
OF exchange.
Liberals economy has been
benefited materially by the am
bilious NATURALIZATION program
conducted by the Firestone Tire
end Rubber company, which lays
claim to operating in the republic
the worlds largest rubber plan
tation. From q, 600 to 1000 Lii
berian workers are on the pay
roll. Liberia was one of the three
| countries to export rubber to the
allies during the last war.
In 1880 an international commits
sion of enquiry into the existence
Of slavery and forced labor re-
ported to the League Of Nations
the existence in Liberia Of a sys-
tenn Of pawning men, women and
children, and that captives OF
| tribal wars we're held in bondage.
The commission found no evil
dence to prove the practice of
slave = holding or slave-trading as
known in the United States. The
| United States and Great Britain
severed diplomatic relations with
Liberia which was advised "to put
your house in order"
Liberals unwillingness to accept
the plan of assistance formulated
Ky the League If Nations in 1884
resulted in President Edwin Bar
| clay launching his own plan de-
signed to establish needed re-
forms. The United States renewed