A GUEST FROM LIBERIA

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1927, Page 1

A GUEST FROM LIBERIA

(By Evans Ijewin, author of “Gcr man Rule in Africa.”)

Liberia is in many respects a unique country. Bided hy Negroes who are mainly the descendants of free slaves, it possesses a democratic Constitution, with a President, Senate, and House of Bepre.sentntives, which derives its power not from tho great mass of the people hut from the smaller number of tho more or less educated town dwellers who constitute the political strength of the country. The inhabitants of the interior are much as nature made them, but the upholders of the Constitution, or their forefathers, brought with them the American spirit of independence and initiative and have done much, largely under American guidance, to develop what is one of the richest countries in Western Africa. lit is of particular interest that King Fuad, the ruler of aristocratic Egypt, will meet this week the President of tho democratic Liberian .Republic. Dr King, the President of Liberia and one of the ablest representatives of the Negro race, has for the past few years directed the destinies of his country with uncommon skill and ability. He has not only secured considerable financial assistance from American and other sources but he has also shown great wisdom in withstanding the advances of sitc-h unstable political leaders ns the American Negro Marcus Garvey, who wished to make Liberia a gateway into Africa for the dissemination of his doctrine of “Africa for the Africans.” Dr King realised that the safety of Liberia as an independent State depended not only upon the willing cooperation of American and European capital in the development of its resources but also upon the friendship of the great colonising Powers.

Liberia is the one country in Africa in which the United States has considerable economic interests. Bound to America by sentimental ties going hack to the early part of last century. when the influx of freed slaves first began, close relationships, religious, political and economic, have since been maintained, so that to-day the Christian Negro population of about 50.000 looks largely across the Atlantic for its inspiration, and in this respect differs considerably from the neighbouring British Colony of Sierra Leone, which is entirely British in its sentiments.

The visit of President King to this country will servo to strengthen our interests and to promote a closer understanding l>etween Great Britain and one of tho smallest members of the League of Nations.

Wedged in between Sierra Leone and the French Ivory Coast, Liberia extends about 350 miles along tlio western littoral of Africa and lias an area of about 41,000 square miles. The greater part of this region is still undeveloped, containing great sweltering forest lands and some two mil-

lion .aborigii.ul natives who shelter under the ",Stars and Stripes” of Liberia. Here there are vast resources in indigenous rubber, vegetable oils, cocoa, and coffee which "cm!v require capital for tlieir development. Unfortunately the chief harbour and seat of the Administration is an unsheltered port, hut with the construction of a safe harbour and the opening of the interior by railways there is no reason why this fertile country should not become as flourishing a community as the adjacent British territories of Sierra Leone and the Gold Coast.