No. 44
American Legation,
Monrovia,
September 30, 1916.
[Inclosure—Extract]
[Untitled]
Fellow Citizens: After an absence of only eight months, we have met
again, to consult, advise and legislate for the common good of the
Republic.
The great and cruel war still rages with all its fearful
consequences, and I am impressed that it will continue at least a
year longer; hence, my advice to all classes of our citizens has
been to prepare for such a contingency. I am pleased to say that,
from reports which have reached me from all parts of the Republic,
people of all classes have turned their attention to agriculture as
in the days of yore, Nearly everyone who will work has gone to
farming.
[Page 462]
The rice crop is
reported as being good throughout the country, and the reports of
the other crops are very encouraging.
As an evidence of the appreciation of our Government for the timely
services rendered the Republic by the United States Government
through its Cruiser Chester it is requested
that a resolution be passed by you expressing our thanks in a formal
manner.
By cablegram on the 27th of May, last, and by letter of the 14th of
June, last, the Government proposed to the fiscal agents of the
Refunding Loan of 1912, the temporary suspension of interest and
sinking fund as from July 1, 1916. The reason for the proposal was
the serious falling off of the revenues to such an extent that the
current income of the Republic was not sufficient to meet the
service of the loan and the bare necessities of the Government. It
was suggested that the Government would be agreeable, after the
payment of the Receivership’s charges, expenses of the Liberian
Frontier Force and the amount necessary for the support of the
Government, to allocate whatever sums remaining to the payment of
interest and sinking fund. Such payment would be made at the end of
each fiscal year, during the war period, or sooner, if conditions
warranted.
The working of the Receivership has been solely along routine lines
during the past fiscal period. Harmony has prevailed between the
Receivership and the Government. Questions have arisen, however,
respecting the scope of authority of the Financial Adviser. It is
hoped that an adjustment will soon be reached.
The funds of the Liberian Frontier Force are now regularly passed
through the hands of the Secretary of War in accordance with the
plan for the disbursement of such funds agreed upon between the
Secretary of the Treasury and the General Receiver of Customs while
on their official trip in America. The insurrection of the Krus
along the whole of the Coast is in course of effective suppression
by the Frontier Force. The principal chiefs and ringleaders have
been captured. The officers and men of the Force merit special
mention in this connection.
