Liberia *- 



steady infiltration of the country by Muhammadan Mandingos 

 from the north. The tribes of fine physique which dwell to the 

 west of the Upper Cavalla River, known generically as Gon, are 

 still holding the forest against the advancing Muhammadans. But 

 these latter firstly penetrate as merchants amongst these cannibals, 

 then as religious teachers, and, if they are not checked by the 

 power of Liberia or restrained by France, they will eventually 

 create a series of small Muhammadan states in the north of 

 Liberia, and at the same time will apply themselves steadily 

 (as they have done for centuries and centuries) to the cutting 

 down of the forest. Already the Mandingo have introduced 

 the Muhammadan religion into much of Western Liberia, 

 especially in the Gora and Vai countries ; they have almost 

 become the dominant factor in the regions between the St. Paul's 

 River and the Sierra Leone frontier. Fortunately they have 

 become well disposed towards the Government of the republic, 

 and they come in increasing numbers to the Liberian settlements. 

 It is quite possible that with the enlargement of Americo- 

 Liberian views this sturdy, industrious race of mixed affinities 

 may play a considerable part in the political future of Liberia. 



928 



