1034
LIBERIA.
Constitution and Government.— The Liberian Republic had its origin in the efforts of several colonisation societies of Europe and America to make permanent provision for freed American slaves. In 1822 a settlement was formed on the west coast of Africa near the spot where Monrovia now stands. On July 26, 1847, the State was constituted as the Free and Independent Republic of Liberia. The new State was first recognised by Great Britain, and ultimately by other Powers. The Constitution of the Republic is on the model of that of the United States, with trifling exceptions. The executive is vested in a President, a Vice-President, and a Council of 6 Ministers, and the legislative power in a parliament of two houses, called the Senate and the House of Representatives. The President and the House of Repre- sentatives are elected for four years, and the Senate for two years. An Amendment to the Constitution was carried in May, 1907, extending these terms to foiir and six years respectively. The President must be thirty-five years of age, and have real property to the value of 600 dollars, or 120Z. Electors must be of negro blood, and owners of land. The natives of the country are not excluded from the franchise, but, except in the centres of civilisation, they take no part in political life. The official language of the Government is English.
President of Liberia. — Hon. Daniel Howard ; assumed office January, 1912,
Vice-President. — Hon. S. G. Harmon.
The President is assisted in his executive function by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of the Interior, the Attorney-General, the Postmaster-General, and the Secretary for War and Navy.
Area and Population, — Liberia has about 350 miles of coast line, extending from the British colony of Sierra Leone, on the west, to the French colony of the Ivory Coast on the east, and it stretches inland to a distance, in some places, of about 200 miles. The boundaries were determined by the Anglo-Liberian agreement of 1885 and the Franco- Liberian agreements of 1892 and 1907-10. Under the latter agreement Liberia loses about 2,000 square miles of territory which she was unable effectively to administer. Early in 1911 an agreement was concluded between the British and Liberian Governments transferring the territory of Kanre Lahun to Sierra Leone in exchange for a strip of undeveloped territory of about the same area on the south side of Morro River, which now becomes the boundary.
The total area is about 40,000 square miles. Of this a strip of land about 20 miles broad along parts of the coast is administered by the Government. The total population is estimated at 1,500,000 to 2,100,000, all of the African race. The Americo-Liberians have not full control or influence over the natives of the interior, Avhere there are several powerful aboriginal chiefs. The indigenous natives belong in the main to three principal stocks : (1) the Mandingos (Muhammadan), (2) the Kisi ; (3) the Gola, (4) the Kpwesi and (5) the Kru negroes and their allies. The Kru tribes preponderate and are absolute negroes, mostly Pagan, a few Christian. The number of American Liberians is estimated at about 12,000. About 50,000 of the coast negroes
