LIBERIAN SLAVERY

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1931, Page 3

LIBERIAN SLAVERY

SCATHINC INDICTMENT. THREAT BY AMERICA, United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) NEW YORK, January 7. The “Baltimore Sun” prints a despatch asserting that the Department of-State, in a scathing note recently threatened a possible break in the United States’ relations with Liberia unless the latter abolished slavery and took steps to remove the officials responsible, since “international and public opinion would no longer tolerate the twin scourges of slavery and forced labour.” .Mr H. L. Stimson, in a note, according to the despatch ,makes against Liberia the following points:—First tlnit it consented fco the investigation of slavery with “extreme reluctance;” second ,that “nearly all high Liberia officials ,including the Vice-President were found guilty; third, that Liberia despite the “ifrequent inquiries” of the American Charge d’Affaires, failed to offer, definite plans for the removal of slavery; fourth, that all ‘officials whose guilt has been established” continued to hold office; fifth, that “the Government.of Liberia intimidated witnesses” before;the Slavery Commission and then “encouraged measures of retaliation . against these helpless people.”

the Geneva correspondent of the London “News-Chronicle” stated recently that as'a result of the findings

f the League of. Nations international inquiry into slavery in Liberia, the President of Liberia, the Hon. Charles 1)., B. King, and the Vice-President, the Hon. Alan N. Yancy, had resigned Al,r King had nominated the Secretary of State, the Hon. Edwin Barclay, as acting-President. The Comm issuer’s* report stated that Air Yancy sanctioned the compulsory recruitment of labour for road construction and shipment abroad. The. report condemned the use of the Liberian Frontier Force for conveying gangs of captured natives to the Coast for .shipment. It was estimated that 100,000 out of a population of 2,b00.009 are living , in conditions akin to slavery.

President. King, though not aware o'f Mr Yanc-y’s action, considered that his own resignation was obligatory. Liberia is. an independent'negro State on the ..West Coast ol Africa. It was founded h.v groups of freed slaves from the United States and its constitution is based on the constitution of that country. Mr. King’s term as President would have expired in 1932.