The assistant minister of foreign affairs called to-day at the legation
and handed to me a verbal note requesting me to beg the Government of
the United States to use its good offices to the end that the
much-desired adhesion of the Government of Liberia to the convention of
June 8, 1899, might be speedily obtained.
I therefore forward the inclosed to the Department for such action as it
may deem expedient.
[Inclosure.—Translation of note verbale
from the ministry of foreign affairs.]
adhesion of the republic of liberia to the
convention of june 8, 1899.
At the instance of the delegates of the United States of America to
the conference of 1889–90, the Republic of Liberia was invited to
adhere to the general act signed on July 2, 1890.
Mr. Terrell, at the meeting of June 16, said:
“The Republic of Liberia is situated in the zone where the
restrictive measures concerning spirituous liquors will be applied,
or at least where it is contemplated to have them applied.”
His excellency added:
“It is therefore highly desirable that this independent State should
be induced to cooperate in an effective way in the realization of
the repressive measures contemplated by the conference.”
The Republic of Liberia, having adhered to the general act, was
invited to enjoy the same rights as the other signatory or adhering
powers, to participate in the conference intrusted with the revision
provided for by article 42 of said general act, relating to the
traffic of spirituous liquors in Africa.
The invitation addressed to the powers left it to their option,
either to participate in the work of the conference, or to adhere to
the decisions reached by the assembly. Several Governments preferred
the latter alternative, the Republic of Liberia being among them.
The Belgium Government having charge of collecting the adhesions of
the Governments referred to, has already received most of those
expected, notably the adhesion of the United States of America.
Up to the present time, however, the Government of the King has
failed to receive the adhesion of the Government of Liberia,
notwithstanding the steps it has taken to that end. It has just
addressed again a communication to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs
in which it expresses its confidence that the Republic of Liberia
will not withdraw from the concert of the powers in a question of
such paramount [Page 35] importance to
the cause of civilization and the protection of the native
population of Africa. This confidence seems to be justified inasmuch
as the adhesion does not imply any diminution of the tariff in force
in Liberia, the minimum tax fixed by the Convention being much below
the tax now imposed upon spirituous liquors on their entry into the
territory of the Republic.
The interest always evinced by the United States of America in the
humanitarian work accomplished by the conferences of 1890 and 1899
is a sure guaranty that the Cabinet at Washington will be animated
by a desire to see the Republic of Liberia adhere to the convention
of June 8, 1899. The Government of the King therefore feels itself
entitled to expect that the Government of the United States will
second the steps taken by the Government of the King at Monrovia, in
order to obtain with as little delay as possible, as the limit of
time fixed for the exchange of ratifications will shortly
expire.
