The League of Nations Commission of Inquiry
In 1927, after losing the presidential race to Charles D.B. King, Thomas J. Faulkner revealed to the League of Nations that Liberia was involved in a forced labor scandal similar to conditions of slavery that was abolished. In response, the League of Nations made a commission investigation, to see if Liberia was housing slaves for Spain on Fernando Po.
After some undercover investigation, American Minister sent a friendly-toned message to Liberia's Secretary of State on June 8, 1920. He questioned the secretary whether or not they were involved in the practice of forced labor. He said they had multiple reports of young males being put on ships to be sent to Fernando Po for Spain. The secretary denied any form of forced labor and gave the minister authority to investigate Liberia as long as they were impartial and unbiased. The secretary replied, "It is my duty to keep a record of government labour and categorical denial of the existence in the Republic of such labour." This meant that the secretary had kept no record of the selling of workers, which showed that the labor on Fernando Po was known to be illegal and was hidden from the outside world.
After some undercover investigation, American Minister sent a friendly-toned message to Liberia's Secretary of State on June 8, 1920. He questioned the secretary whether or not they were involved in the practice of forced labor. He said they had multiple reports of young males being put on ships to be sent to Fernando Po for Spain. The secretary denied any form of forced labor and gave the minister authority to investigate Liberia as long as they were impartial and unbiased. The secretary replied, "It is my duty to keep a record of government labour and categorical denial of the existence in the Republic of such labour." This meant that the secretary had kept no record of the selling of workers, which showed that the labor on Fernando Po was known to be illegal and was hidden from the outside world.
After some undercover investigation, the United States government sent a friendly-toned message to Liberia's Secretary of State on June 8, 1920. He questioned the secretary whether or not they were involved in the practice of forced labor. He said they had multiple reports of young males being put on ships to be sent to Fernando Po for Spain. The secretary denied any form of forced labor and gave the minister authority to investigate Liberia as long as they were impartial and unbiased. The secretary replied, "It is my duty to keep a record of government labour and categorical denial of the existence in the Republic of such labour." This meant that the secretary had kept no record of the selling of workers, which showed that the labor on Fernando Po was known to be illegal and was hidden from the outside world.
Their investigation led to the conclusion that Liberia was in fact, involved in providing forced labor for Spain on Fernando Po. However, the forced labor on Fernando Po did not completely meet the standards for slavery defined by the Anti-Slavery Convention, and only moderate action could be taken. President King was forced to resign, and a new government was instilled.
Their investigation led to the conclusion that Liberia was in fact, involved in providing forced labor for Spain on Fernando Po. However, the forced labor on Fernando Po did not completely meet the standards for slavery defined by the Anti-Slavery Convention, and only moderate action could be taken. President King was forced to resign, and a new government was instilled.