A STEAMER FIRED ON.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 408, 18 January 1909, Page 5

A STEAMER FIRED ON.

LIBERIA AND GERMANY. NEGRO REP U BLIC'S RECULATI ONS. GUARDSHIP SENT. , .. (Dl' TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPIBIGHT.) ' (Rec. January 17, 4.30 p.m.) London, January. 16. : Advices from French West Africa '.'■ stats that tho Liberian Customs' gunboat Lark, commanded by a British-naval reserve officer, fired at a steamer belonging to the German Woerihann'line, off-Glocester. ' The Lark was recently instructed to stop breaches of the Customs regulations, and to prevent tho entrance of ships to ; thoso Liberian ports which. are not open to. the trado of tho world. "/' ' '.'■'■>■/ A guardship stationed on the coast of tho Cameroons (a German colony in -West Africa) has started for Liberia. LIBERIAN RESTRICTIONS ON TRADE. Liberia.is a negto. republic on the coast .of West Africa, lying between the French' colony, of on tlio east and Sierra Leone I on the west, and between, tho Frenoli possessions in tho interior and tho tea. Liberia was founded in 1822 by American philanthropists for the settlement of freed slaves. It was declared, independent.in 18-47, was recognised as a sovereign state by Great Britain, in 1848, and by the United States in. 18G2. The constitution is on.the 'model'.of'that of the United States. The': President is elected for four years, the House, of Rrep'resehtatives (14 members)' for two years, and the Senate (9 members) for six. The' development of the: country is hindered by the laws prohibiting any but Liberian subjects from holding land,' and forbidding foreigners to trade in the interior or anywhere' except at the official ports of entry., There are magnificent forests in the interior, and much mineral wealth exists, some of which is being prospected by the. Liberian Development Chartered Company. The chief products are palm oil,'coffee, rubber, and ivory. Cotton'is indigenous, hut is not cultivated to any extent.: ' Tho Liberian Development Chartered Company (British) in, 1906 advanced ,£IOO,OOO to the. Government, with: which a Government Bank was .founded,'.roads were built, other public works' were commenced, and a Military Constabulary force was established. : In addition two British officials were appointed to reorganise the Customs service and.-, tlio country's, finance. . ■ ■ ', ; ;: , . ■ :'■■ -..