SLAVERY IN LIBERIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20766, 8 January 1931, Page 9

SLAVERY IN LIBERIA.

THREAT BY AMERICA.

SCATHING NOTE SENT.

(Received January 7, 9.15 p.m.) NEW YORK, Jnn 7

The Baltimore Sun prints a despatch asserting that the State Department in a scathing Note recently threatened a possible break of relations with Liberia, unless the latter Republic abolished slavery and removed the officials responsible for it, " since international public opinion no longer tolerates the twin scourges of slavery and forced labour." The Secretary of State, Mr. H. L. Stim&on, in the Note, according to the despatch, makes against Liberia the following points:—(l) That she consented to the League of Nations investigation into slavery with extreme reluctance; (2) that nearly all the 'high Liberian officials, including the vice-president, Mr. A. N. Yancy, were found guilty. (3) Liberia, in spite of the frequent inquiries by the American Charge d'Affaires, failed to offer definite plans to remove slavery; (4) that all the officials whose guilt was established continued to hold office; (5) that the Government of Liberia intimidated witnesses before the Slavery Commission and then encouraged measures of retaliation against those helpless people.

The Geneva correspondent of the News Chronicle reported on January 3 that as a result of the findings of the League of Nations international inquiry into slavery in Liberia, the president of Liberia, Mr. C. D. B. King, and the vice-president, Mr. Alan Yancy, had resigned. Mr. King nominated the Secretary of State, Mr. Edwin Barclay, to be actingPresident.

The report of the commission skates that Mr. Yancy sanctioned the compulsory recruitment of labour for road construction and shipment abroad. The report estimates that 400,000 of the population of 2,500,000 are. living in conditions of slavery.