LIBERIA: Third Term Question

Black fists smacked for emphasis on open pinky-grey palms. Rich voices rose in unctuous metaphor.

An electoral campaign was being held throughout the 36,834 square miles of the 80-year-old Free and

Independent Republic of Liberia, founded on the West coast of Africa by onetime U. S. slaves.

As candidates for the Presidency, there stood forth Publicist T. R. Faulkner, onetime U. S. citizen; and President D. B. King, now completing his second term as Chief Executive of Liberia. Beneath hot sunbeams, balloting went forward enthusiastically, for the Third Term Question had roused popular interest. Did thin, pointed-nosed, pince-nezed Candidate King deserve a third term?

His Excellency, President D. B. King, has been called “the Harding of Liberia.” He is popular and his closest friends are loyal, jovial, democratic gentlemen. Moreover, when Mr. King was last inaugurated (TIME, Feb. 18, 1924) he received a letter of congratulation which began: “Great and Good Friend,” and ended:

“May God have Your Excellency in His Safe and Holy Keeping.

“Your Good Friend” (Signed) CALVIN COOLIDGE.

When ballots were counted, last week, in Liberia, President King was found to have been elected to a third term by a majority of 60,000.