Viewing page 19 of 35

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

for Liberia", the final outcome of these maneuvers, actually incorporates the claims of American imperialism and the Harvey Firestone interests.
The Liberian bourgeoisie, defeated in its maneuver, was now forced to turn once more to American imperialism, raising again the question of modification of the demands of the latter. But American imperialism still insists upon strict adherence by the Liberian government to the terms of the original agreement. 
The Liberian bourgeoisie is now seeking to use the Negro question in the United States for the purpose of exerting "pressure" upon American imperialism to bring about a modification of its demands and also to help it out of its financial difficulties generally. This is the situation behind the so-called "Liberian-American Plan of Cooperation" proposed by Mr. William N. Jones. This plan is in fact a proposal for an alliance between the Liberian government and the Negro bourgeois and petty-bourgeois groups in America for the purpose of rallying mass support for the Liberian bourgeoisie in its reactionary bargaining with American imperialism at the same time, to secure financial help for the Liberian government among the Negroes in the United States. This is clearly shown in a "confidential" prospectus sent out by Mr. William N. Jones. The basis of this proposed alliance between the Liberian government and the Negro bourgeois groups in the U.S.A. is a plan for a business partnership between these two groups for the joint promotion of business enterprises and industries in Liberia and in the U.S.A. In other words, the Liberian bourgeoisie agrees to let its American Negro class brothers "in on the spoils" accruing from the plunder of the Liberian masses. Thus, the proposed program calls for nationwide organization around the following points: 
"1. The organization by this present committee of a permanent commission to work with a similar commission appointed by the 
34

Liberian government in coordinating a permanent Liberian-American plan of cooperation and of maintaining the proper relations between the governments of the two countries. 
"2. The organization of a Liberian-American trading company. The Liberian government would cooperate with such a company in establishing a banking and insurance business and agencies in both countries which would promote trade between the two countries. 
"3. The establishment of a number of scholarships in our institutions which would train young men and women for Liberian and other foreign service. There are at present sixty diplomatic posts which Liberia controls in foreign countries, most of which are filled by white persons. President Barclay has pointed out to us his desire to have these important posts filled by colored persons. These posts would form a mighty factor in working out a better status for people of color throughout the world. Young men trained as administrators, industrialists and engineers are needed at once, and under this ten-year program would be welcomed by the Liberian government. 
"4. The organization of an international relations group which would seek to coordinate the efforts of colored people throughout the world to improve their general economic, social and civic status. Such an organization to be promoted mainly among younger men and women and stimulated by an educational movement which will point out to our boys and girls their relations to Liberians and colored folk in other countries."

All of this, we are informed, will be a "mighty factor in working out a better status for the Negro people throughout the world". 
It is quite clear that the American Negro bourgeoisie sees in this plan an opportunity to attain realization of its long cherished dreams for industrial expansion. This is expressed in the most enthusiastic terms by Mr. Jones in his column in the Baltimore Afro-American. He says:
"We are beating our hearts and souls trying to break through the thick walls of prejudice which bar us from the higher brackets of big industry here in America, when there is a virgin field which we could develop in Africa."
35