WAKANDA WAS ALMOST A REALITY PART 2

By 1920 Liberia had been placed into the position of possibly approaching the U.S. government for a loan of five million U.S. dollars.  During World War 1 trade between Liberia, France, Britain and the United States virtually came to a halt due to a German submarine blockade.  To avoid the Liberians from approaching the U.S. government for the loan, the UNIA offered to raise two million U.S. dollars.  The UNIA immediately purchased $150 dollars in bonds from Liberia with a promise to raise the remaining amount.  President Charles D.B. King of Liberia welcomed the UNIA to Liberia and opened the door for them to establish a headquarters in Liberia. 

Mr. Garvey began to bloviate about moving to Liberia and caused angst among the Liberian people since it drew the attention of the French and British governments.  Edwin Barclay, whose parents moved from Barbados and who became Liberia’s 18^th president exclaimed about Mr. Garvey’s constant talk about his Liberia scheme, stated “It is not always advisable nor politic to openly expose our secret intentions, our secret thoughts. That is the way we do-or rather don’t do-in Liberia. We don’t tell them what we think; we only tell them what they like to hear.” 

As it happens with us, a Liberian official, Cyral Crichlow, came into conflict with other members of the UNIA including his fellow country man Gabriel Johnson, the Supreme Potentate of the UNIA, and gave up information to U.S. agents.  France, Britain and the United States pressured Liberia due to the close relations with the UNIA.  Wakanda died on the vine with the aid of Liberia’s president C.D.B. King, W.E.B.  Du Bois and Firestone.