A Treaty settling the frontier between Liberia and the French
Soudan was officially published on Tuesday. Under it, France and the negro Republic rearrange their boundaries in such a way that the Hinterland of Liberia will be imposed as a sort of buffer-State between a portion of Sierra Leone and the French Soudan. It does not appear, however, that English interests are in any way injured. Probably the Times is right in suggesting that the Treaty is due to the persistent policy of France in regard to the formation of.a great African Empire stretching from Algiers to the Congo. The main object achieved by the Treaty is to be found in the clause giving France the right of free navigation in the Cavally River. The French hope to discover a connection between the Cavally and the affluents of the Upper Niger, and so get a new trade-route out of their Hinterland. No doubt we shall be told that Sierra Leone will be isolated by the new arrangement, and that Liberia will cease to be inde- pendent, but, even if it is, we do not think it very greatly matters. We cannot forbid France to bargain with Liberia, any more than she can forbid us to enter into arrangements with Italy or the Congo Free State.
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