“Uncle Shad”

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29108, 21 January 1960, Page 12

“Uncle Shad”

With the help of representatives from more than 60 nations, Liberia recently celebrated the inauguration of President William Vacanarat Shadrach Tubman for a fourth four-year term. A benevolent despot whose abilities are probably underrated overseas, President Tubman is known to Liberians as “ Uncle Shad ” or “ the old “ man He is respected as well as feared; it is hard to think of Liberia without him. By law his portrait must be displayed in every shop and office. He is a stickler for dignity, affects a long Havana cigar and an ebony cane, has strong social pretensions, and is a Methodist lay preacher. He is never criticised by Liberians. In probably the most corrupt country of the world, he is regarded as intelligent, energetic, and honest. In foreigners’ eyes he suffers because of Liberia’s reputation as a country where slavery flourished till recently, where the appropriation for brass bands exceeds that for public health, and where graft and bribery are recognised aids to business. Although he is supported by an elaborate, Ameri-can-style governmental system, President Tubman is virtually a dictator. His party—the True Whigs has elected every Liberian President for more than 75 years; and Mr Tubman has been President since 1944. At 63, he shows acute awareness of Africa’s changing role in world affairs and of the opportunities of leadership that may be Liberia’s.

The Liberian Republic was founded in 1847 by a group of American freed slaves whom a philanthropic organisation had brought to Africa 25 years previously. The newcomers quickly subjugated the indigenous negroes and established a curiously stratified society in which, till recently, the self-styled Americo-Liberians kept themselves segregated. President Tubman’s parents came from Georgia. Though the AmericoLiberians are still the ruling class, the breakdown of segregation has resulted in the growth of egalitarianism. Socially, educationally, and economically, Liberia is appallingly backward. The capital, Monrovia, is a collection of corrugatediron shacks, with rudimentary streets, a great new Capitol, and shiny American cars—for the wealthy. The extremes of wealth and poverty are very great. Yet President Tubman thinks Liberia will be one of Africa’s most prosperous countries in a decade. He may be right. Since Mr Tubman came to power the national income has increased 20 times; but it is still only about £7 million. Until recent years the country’s eco-

nomy depended largely on the Firestone Company’s large rubber plantations. In 1953 Mr Tubman negotiated a new agreement with the company, guaranteeing better loyalties to the Liberian Government. The President has encouraged foreign investment. Liberia contains vast resources of iron ore. Since 1951 the Liberian Mining Company has been operating in the Bomi Hills. The Liberian American - Swedish Minerals Company is spending about £7O million on exploiting enormous iron-ore deposits at Nimba, on the Guinea border. The Liberian Government is contributing nothing to the Nimba project but will take half the profits. Three years ago alluvial diamonds were found in the Lofa river area; the diamond concessions are now a government monopoly. How will Liberia spend its new wealth? Public health, education, transport, and communications could hardly be more primitive; part of the republic has not been mapped. Having founded Liberian progress on overseas capital, President Tubman faces the enormous task of determining the disposal of the proceeds.