The committee held a preliminary meeting following the Council meeting this morning for the purpose of organization. Henderson was elected chairman. It is understood that the Secretary General will immediately communicate with the Government of the United States in the sense of paragraph 4 of the Consulate's telegram under reference as modified by this telegram. It is not clear yet, however, whether the United States will first be asked if it cares to participate, and, if so, in what matter [manner], or whether a definite invitation will be sent. It is understood that the committee hopes to begin its work early in February. GILBERT 882.01 Foreign Control/22a: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Liberia (Reber) WASHINGTON, January 26, 1931-2 p. m. 16. Your telegram No. 14, January 23, 10 p. m. On January 24 the League Council appointed an interim committee composed of representatives of Germany, British Empire, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Venezuela and Liberia empowered to study questions of financial and administrative assistance necessary to carry out the reforms recommended by the International Commission of Inquiry, and to submit a report to the next (May) meeting of the Council. Henderson was elected chairman. The Committee was authorized to invoke the cooperation of the technical organizations of the League, the chairman of the recent Commission of Inquiry (Christy), "and any expert opinion which may be needed in agreement with the Government of Liberia". The Committee was also authorized to invite the American Government to participate in its meetings. The Council adjourned on Saturday.26 You are authorized to sail on February 7; see second paragraph of Department's telegram No. 5, January 8, 6 p. m.27 STIMSON 882.01 Foreign Control/25: Telegram The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State BERNE, January 31, 1931—1 p. m. [Received 3 p. m.] 18. Your 15, January 30, 1 p. m.27 Following is text of note addressed to you by Acting Secretary General, dated January 30th: 20 January 24. "Not printed. 591381-46—VOL. II—~50 "I have the honor to inform you that the Council of the League of Nations at its meeting on January 24, 1931, adopted on the proposal of the representative of Poland a report regarding certain questions connected with the execution by the Liberian Government of the reforms recommended by the recent Commission to inquire into the existence of slavery or forced labor in that country. From this report I quote the following paragraph[s]: 'Having adopted [I think] that the Council might appoint a small committee, selected from among its own members, to examine the problem raised by the Liberian Government's request. This committee would consider in what manner it might be possible to assist the Liberian Government to carry out its decision to give effect to the recommendations and suggestions of the International Commission of Inquiry. The committee might among other matters examine the question of the administrative assistance necessary for giving effect to the social reforms suggested by the Commission of Inquiry and also the question of financial and public health assistance with a view to the carrying out of these reforms. The committee will doubtless desire to obtain the assistance of the technical organs of the League, of the Secretariat and if necessary of the President of the International Commission of Inquiry and to secure any expert opinion which may be needed, in agreement with the Liberian Government. Further, in view of the special interest which has been shown by the United States of America in the execution by Liberia of the reforms proposed by the Commission of Inquiry, the committee appointed by the Council might be authorized to invite the United States Government to take such part in its meetings as that Government may deem appropriate. The committee's report might be examined by the Council at its next session ( . . . ?)'. The Council, which included a representative of Liberia, unanimously approved this proposal and appointed the representative[s] of the British Empire, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Venezuela, as well as the representative of Liberia, to be members of the committee. A short meeting of the committee was held immediately afterwards to consider the organization of its work. At that meeting the committee named the British representative as chairman and decided to act upon the suggestion of the Council as regards the participation of the United States in its work, requesting me to notify you to that effect. In accordance with these decisions I have the honor to invite the Government of the United States to participate in the meetings of the committee in such manner as it may deem appropriate. No date has been fixed for the first regular meeting of the committee but it appears probable that the President may desire to convoke it in the near future. I should therefore appreciate it very much if I might know the pleasure of your Government as soon as possible in order that I may duly inform the members of the committee. I am forwarding you herewith copy of the two reports 30 submitted to the Council at its sixty-second session by the representative of Poland, rapporteur, on the subject of the report of the International Commission of Inquiry in Liberia". 20 Omission indicated in the original telegram. WILSON 30 League of Nations documents C.90.1931.VI and C133.1931.VI (Geneva, January 20 and 23, 1931). 882.01 Foreign Control/25: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) WASHINGTON, February 2, 1931-5 p. m. 16. Your telegram No. 18, January 31, 1 p. m. Kindly deliver in the usual informal manner the following reply to the Acting Secretary General of the League: "The Secretary of State of the United States of America has received, with appreciation, the note of January 30, 1931, from the Acting Secretary General of the League of Nations, informing the American Government of the establishment by the Council of the League of Nations of a Committee to examine various questions relating to recommended social and administrative reforms in Liberia, and inviting the American Government to participate thereon. The American Government is hopeful that the work of this Committee, having to do with subjects regarding which the cooperation of the American Government has already been indicated through its adherence to international slavery, sanitary and other conventions, may contribute in a practical way toward the execution of highly desirable reforms destined to improve the condition of the Liberian people, for whose welfare the people of the United States have always maintained a sympathetic interest. The American Government accordingly takes pleasure in accepting the above invitation, and is appointing as its representative upon the Committee, Mr. Samuel Reber, Jr., an American diplomatic officer who is at present Chargé d'Affaires ad interim at Monrovia. Mr. Reber has been instructed to leave Monrovia this week and may be expected shortly in Geneva." This communication will be given to the press for publication in the morning papers on February 5. STIMSON 882.01 Foreign Control/38: Telegram The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State BERNE, February 13, 1931-1 p. m. [Received February 13-10:15 a. m.] 22. Gilbert's 29, February 12, 1931.31 Sugimura 82 has addressed through me to Reber a formal notification of the convocation of the meeting of the Liberian Committee at London, February 26th. He adds informally that he will arrange for some of his colleagues to be in London by February 23 in order to have preliminary talks with Reber. Reber's notification forwarded London and Geneva informed. " Not printed. WILSON "Y. Sugimura (Japanese), Under Secretary General and Director of Political Section of the League of Nations. 882.5048/420: Telegram The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State GENEVA, February 14, 1931-noon. [Received February 14-6: 58 a. m.] 31. Consulate's 19, January 23, 9 p. m., paragraph 2, and despatch No. 60, political, February 5.33 Liberia has informed Secretary General that Council's pertinent recommendation has been complied with by Liberia's ratification of Convention on Forced Labor of 1930. Instrument of ratification not yet deposited. GILBERT 882.01 Foreign Control/53: Telegram The Vice Consul at Monrovia (Wall) to the Secretary of State MONROVIA, February 15, 1931-8 a. m. [Received 11:30 a. m.] 22. Attorney General Grimes, designated to collaborate with Sottile at Geneva on slavery matters, sailed on S. S. Sultan of the GermanAfrican Line February 14th. WALL 123 Mitchell, Charles E./45: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Vice Consul at Monrovia (Wall) WASHINGTON, February 20, 1931—1 p. m. 24. The following instructions to the Minister * should be decoded immediately for presentation to him on his arrival: In view of the continued failure of Liberia to adopt and execute effective measures of reform, and the attitude of the present Liberian administration, as indicated both by the Liberian delegate at Geneva last month and by recent events in Monrovia, I do not desire you to present your credentials at this time, nor to call upon either the Acting President or the Acting Secretary of State. When required, informal communications may continue to be sent to the Acting Secretary of State, who should be addressed by name. but not by title. These communications (which should, of course, either be prepared by you or with your approval) should be signed by Wall, who should use no title. Should the Acting Secretary of State call upon you you may receive him informally and unofficially. You should take occasion to explain 38 Despatch not printed. The Minister, Charles E. Mitchell, assumed charge of the Legation in Liberia on February 22, 1931. the position of this Government as outlined in the first paragraph and to say that, should Liberia request international control in order to assist it to execute absolutely necessary reforms, the American Government, as Mr. Reber has already explained, would offer no objection. You may add that the American Government feels that in such action on the part of Liberia lies the only hope for the future. For your information: The International Committee referred to in the Department's telegram No. 17, February 3, noon,35 will hold its first meeting on February 26, in London instead of Geneva. STIMSON 882.01 Foreign Control/72: Telegram The Ambassador in Great Britain (Dawes) to the Secretary of State LONDON, February 24, 1931-5 p. m. [Received February 24-2: 50 p. m.] 53. From Reber: The meeting of the Liberian committee has been postponed until February 27th. If Henderson has not then returned from Paris he will probably designate the chairmanship either to Cecil 36 or Dalton.37 From preliminary informal conversations with members of the League Secretariat it appears that they are anxious to send to Liberia two experts who would study general administrative, financial and allied questions of reform, which would then be telegraphed to the committee and referred by it to the League Council in May. In addition to the time I foresee difficulties in this plan in that any further delay will make more difficult the ultimate acceptance by Liberia of the necessary authority to be granted any foreign officials and consider that the committee should first meet the main question which I believe to be that of how far the committee may properly go to insure that recommended reforms will be carried out. Sanctions for their effective execution, I should think, might be adopted by agreement in the committee on the ground that Libera has itself asked for advice, aid and assistance in the appointment of advisers. This question is one that will ultimately have to be solved and I feel it is important that it should at once be discussed by the committee rather than await the details of the experts' report. The League people consider that there is insufficient material here from which the committee might make its definite recommendations for administrative authority and reforms and apparently believe that "Hugh Dalton, British Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. |
