Liberia: Description, History, ProblemsStarr, Frederick
History
Liberia: Description, History, Problems
Starr, Frederick
Liberia
then north along 10° to 8° north; and then northwest to the latitude of
Tembi Kunda (supposed 8° 35′), after which due west along the latitude
of Tembi Kunda, until it intersects the British boundary near that
place. But the entire Niger Basin should be French; Bamaquilla and
Mahommadou should be Liberian; Mousardou and Naalah, French.
LATER FRENCH DIFFICULTIES.
Notwithstanding this delimitation, difficulties with the French
continued. In 1895 French posts along the northern border began to crowd
in upon the Republic. The town of Lola, in Liberia, was attacked by
Senegalese soldiers; these were repulsed and two French officers were
killed. Aggressions continued until, finally, in 1903, Liberia begged
that a final delimitation might be arranged, as the old had proved
completely unsatisfactory. In 1904 F. E. R. Johnson and J. J. Dossen
were sent to France to arrange matters. On their way, they called at the
British Foreign Office and asked their aid and interest in bringing
about an understanding. Arrived in Paris, it was quickly found that the
French were planning to possess themselves of all the territory situated
in the basin of the Cavalla and the Upper St. Paul’s Rivers; the British
Foreign Office expressed sympathy, but did nothing more. In 1905 several
efforts were made toward bringing about an agreement. Dr. Blyden was
sent to France, but accomplished nothing; in November Sir Harry Johnston
was asked to treat with the French Government which, however, refused to
recognize him as an official negotiator. In 1907 Secretary Johnson was
commissioned to treat with the French Government, but found its attitude
most hostile and unfriendly. President Barclay himself was summoned to
Europe; taking T. McCants Stewart with him, they joined Johnson, and
interviewed the French officials. A treaty was submitted to them by
which Liberia would be deprived of a large portion of her territory
situated in the richest and most prosperous districts of the Republic.
It was in vain that the Liberian commissioners remonstrated; the French
were inflexible. The English Government had refused to deal with the
commissioners in regard to the British boundary difficulty until they
had come to some arrangement with France. In this unhappy condition of
affairs, the commissioners decided to consult the American Ambassador in
Paris; they asked that the United States should assist Liberia and
prevent her being robbed of so large a portion of her territory, and
should use her influence in bringing the French Government to submit the
whole matter in dispute to arbitration. Ambassador White replied that he
doubted whether the United States would aid Liberia in this crisis; he
advised President Barclay to accept the treaty, urging that, if he
failed to do so, the French would make further encroachments, and the
Republic would meet with greater losses. As the case seemed hopeless,
the commissioners accepted the treaty. It involved the delimitation of a
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