SLAVERY IN LIBERIA

Evening Star, Issue 20686, 8 January 1931, Page 9

SLAVERY IN LIBERIA

AMERICA UP IN ARMS A SCATHING NOTE Pres* Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. NEW YORK, January 7. The ‘ Baltimore Sun ’ prints a despatch in which it is asserted that the .State Department, in a scathing Note, recently threatened a possible break in the United States relations with Liberia unless the latter abolished slavery and took stops to remove the officials who were responsible, since “ international and public opinion would no longer tolerate the twin scourges of slavery and forced labour.” According to tho despatch the Secretary of State (Mr H. L, Stirason) in a Note makes against Liberia the following points;—(l) That it consented to an investigation of slavery with “ extreme reluctance ”; (2) that “ nearly all the high Liberia officials; including the vice-president,” were found guilty ; (3) that Liberia, despite the “ frequent inquiries ” of the American Charge d’Affaires, failed to offer definite plans for the removal of slavery; (4) that all “ the officials whose guilt has been established ” continue to hold office;* (5) that “ tho Government of Liberia intimidated witnesses ” before the slavery commission, then “ encouraged measures of retaliation against these helpless people.”