The_Open_Door_deel1

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their salaries. The resulting increase in the tribal resistance
against the Liberian authorities led to increased expenditures
for the Government and to political instability which was
skilfully exploited by the European Powers who during the 1910's
were even asked by the tribal population to take over power in
the Republic.
In 1910 the famous Grebo rising climaxed a long history of
"discrimination, oppression, and lack of protection under law".
They asked to be placed under the protection of Great-Britain.
The U.S. Government sent the U.S.S, Birmingham to Cape Palmas for
the primary purpose of preventing European intervention.
Finally, it cost the Liberian Government £ 25,000 and six months
of fighting to quell the rebellion (114).
In 1912 the Kru at River Cess revolted, in protest against the
restrictions imposed by the - still prevailing - Ports of Entry
Law. The Bassa in the Buchanan area joined their fight against
the Government. The latter reacted by burning the principal
villages along the coast. The impossibility of the Liberian
Government and hence its refusal to pay indemnities to German
traders who had been attacked and looted by the rebellious tribal
people resulted in three German gun-boats being sent to Monrovia.
This forced the Liberian Government to pay the compensation
demanded with (part of) the proceeds of the 1912 Loan (the Loan
Agreement which Arthur Barclay had negotiated was ratified in
1912) (115).
In 1915 the Kru rebelled again, this time against the collection
of the Hut Tax. In at least 8 villages the Union Jack was hoisted.
Again Liberian tribes asked for British protection (116), Also in
subsequent years the Kru protested against Liberian authority and
killed tax collectors. It was reported that villages along the
coast were deserted, the tribal people fleeing into the interior
of the country where the absence of roads made it difficult, if
not virtually impossible, for the military of the Frontier Force
and for tax collectors to chase and find them (117).
The prevailing view of Americo-Liberians with respect to their
tribal compatriots continued to be one of contempt and
superiority. The latter were still referred to as "wild savages"
and "uncivilized population" (118). The highest authority in the
Republic, the President, formed no exception in this respect
(119). Initially, this may appear strange since only during the
Administration of the same President Barclay the tribal people
were granted citizenship, 60 years after the founding of the
republic. However, this citizenship was granted for fear of
(further) French encroachments upon the republic's territory.
By granting citizenship to the tribal people of the Hinterland
the settler Government's protection of the territory it claimed
turned into a defense of its citizens (120). In reality little
changed. Only formal citizenship was granted since active
participation in the affairs of the country was neither
encouraged, facilitated nor even made possible.