all measures must be undertaken within the limits of its financial resources and only in full agreement with that Government. 5. Its acceptance in principle is confined to "technical" assistance in social, public health and financial reforms. 6. Liberian Government takes the same position respecting work and expected report of Committee of Experts. 7. Letter implies with reference to the foregoing position of the Liberian Government that the administrative member of the Committee of Experts may have exceeded his competence. 8. Letter states "In the event of failure to observe these conditions as accepted by the Council or in the event of the experts exceeding their powers, my Government reserves the power to forego the assistance offered or, alternatively, to request the Council to modify or limit the extent of that assistance". 9. The Liberian Government renews its objection to nationals of states having territory neighboring to Liberia serving on commissions having to do with Liberia. The two following portions of Sottile's letter obviously refer to the United States: (a) "To interpret the mandate and powers of the experts in any other sense would be to venture on arbitrary ground, and to endeavor to frustrate the League's work in Liberia or disturb the relations between Liberia and the League, a result which non-members of the League would be glad to see." (b) "In the speech which I made before the Council on January 22nd last I informed the Council and the League of the singular and paradoxical conduct of a government, which, taking advantage of its financial powers, thought it had the right to impose its will on my Government and to compel it to accept and follow literally and in every detail these singular recommendations and suggestions, some of which it may be said in passing have no connection with the task and powers which my Government had conferred upon the Commission". Communication does not state that it was made under instructions from the Liberian Government. Copy of letter transmitted by Secretariat direct to Reber. Informed by American Legation, Berne, that it has telegraphed Department respecting meeting of Liberian Committee. GILBERT 882.01 Foreign Control/135: Telegram The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Acting Secretary of State BERNE, August 17, 1931-10 a. m. [Received August 17-8:25 a. m.] 106. Your 91, August 15, noon.50 It is definitely anticipated by League Secretariat that the report of the experts who meet today in Geneva cannot be transmitted to the two distant Governments inter BO Not printed. ested, namely, the United States and Liberia, in time to permit the Committee to meet and submit recommendations to the forthcoming session of the Council. It is impossible now to give even an approximate date when the Committee might be convened but the Secretariat sees no probability of such a meeting before the close of the Assembly in September. The report will be sent to all members of the Committee and Liberia. The United States and Liberia were mentioned specifically in my 105, August 14, midnight [noon],50a to emphasize the time element. Such additional information as may be obtained during or directly following the experts' session will be telegraphed. WILSON 882.01 Foreign Control/134 : Telegram The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) [Paraphrase] WASHINGTON, August 19, 1931-1 p. m. 92. Your 106, August 17, 10 a. m., and Gilbert's 100, August 14, 6 p. m. The Department is particularly interested in information regarding the following points, but does not desire to approach the League of Nations at this time with a suggestion respecting procedure: In order not to delay indefinitely consideration of the experts' report and recommendations (by technical or general objections, for example, similar to those stated by Sottile in his letter of August 13), the Department feels it would be highly desirable that a specific date be fixed for the next meeting of the International Committee. Does such action seem to be imminent? Is it anticipated that the question of Liberia will in any way come before the League Council during the forthcoming session? CASTLE 882.01 Foreign Control/140: Telegram The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Acting Secretary of State [Paraphrase] BERNE, August 20, 1931-noon. [Received August 20-10:25 a. m.] 108. Your 92, August 19, 1 p. m. (1) Indications are lacking that the matter of Liberia will come before the League Council, and the 50 Not printed. 51 See telegram No. 100, August 14, 6 p. m., from the Consul at Geneva, p. 690. agenda contains no item involving this country. It can not of course be guaranteed that the question will not be raised by someone, but this is deemed to be highly unlikely. (2) The British Foreign Secretary has the duty of fixing a date for the Commission's meeting. It is understood by the Secretariat that Mr. Henderson is anxious to set the date at the earliest moment which is convenient to the United States. As soon as the experts have completed their report, it will be mailed to the Department. The United States will then be consulted regarding a date for the Commission's meeting. The hope is for a date allowing the Commission to meet toward the end of next month. In view of your first paragraph, I was not willing to go farther than inquiring concerning this matter. WILSON 882.01/27: Telegram The Minister in Liberia (Mitchell) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] MONROVIA, October 3, 1931-9 p. m. [Received October 5-7: 37 a. m.] 79. During an informal conversation on October 2 Mr. Barclay unofficially expressed with earnest emphasis the desire of his Government to send to the United States Government a special envoy instructed to ascertain the understanding or definite terms upon which the Liberian Government may obtain formal recognition from the United States Government, consequently restoring its traditional friendship and its active interest in perpetuating Liberia's independ ence. If granted direct contact with the United States Government, the envoy could present plainly and candidly a statement of facts and his Government's views respecting the economic perplexities and the administrative problems of the Republic. Such knowledge, it is believed, would aid in clarifying any doubt as to Liberian affairs and would pave the way toward reconciling divergent views which now exist. Mr. Barclay has solicited unofficially this Legation's good offices in making known this desire to my Government and in seeking information in regard to the United States Government's willingness to receive officially such an envoy and to accord a sympathetic hearing to him. MITCHELL 882.01/27: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in Liberia (Mitchell) [Paraphrase] WASHINGTON, October 6, 1931-2 p. m. 52. Your 79, October 3, 9 p. m. In reply to Mr. Barclay you are authorized informally to state that, since this Government's decision respecting recognition will to a considerable extent depend upon Liberia's attitude toward the report and recommendations of the committee of experts, I feel no useful purpose would be served by the suggestion that a special Liberian representative visit this country prior to the next meeting of the International Committee on Liberia. You may add that this Government understands the report will be available soon and hopes the meeting of the committee on Liberia will be held in the near future. STIMSON 882.01 Foreign Control/162: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Switzerland (Greene) WASHINGTON, October 16, 1931-6 p. m. 139. Your telegram No. 178, October 6, 3 p. m., and despatch No. 227 [2271], October 6.52 Please present the following communication to Sugimura from Reber: The American representative of the Liberian Committee presents his compliments to the Under Secretary General and Director of the Political Section of the League of Nations, and has the honor to acknowledge the latter's communication of October 3, 1931, relating to the next meeting of the Liberian Committee. It is noted that the Chairman of the Committee is of the opinion and has accordingly proposed that this meeting should take place toward the middle of January before the next session of the Council opens. With this view and the desire of both the Council and Committee to solve at the earliest possible date the problem raised by the Liberian Government's request for assistance, the American representative has the honor to state that his Government is heartily in accord. 882.01/28 STIMSON The Minister in Liberia (Mitchell) to the Secretary of State No. 104 MONROVIA, October 31, 1931. [Received December 3.] SIR: I have the honor to confirm the Legation's telegram No. 79, October 3, 9 p. m. with reference to the desire of the present admin 52 Neither printed. istration to send an envoy to the United States who would be especially instructed to lay before the Department the policy which will be adopted and put into effect after the inauguration of Mr. Edwin Barclay as President of Liberia on January 5, 1932. At an informal meeting, a discussion of Liberia and its future development came up and Mr. Barclay repeatedly stated that propaganda circulated as to his being anti-American was without foundation; that it was his intention to give Liberia an administration that would reflect credit upon those entrusted with official duties; that none but those highly qualified educationally and of acknowledged strict integrity would be given positions of trust. He seemed at a loss to know just what representation could be made to insure the American Government that the reforms as recommended by the International Committee of Inquiry would be speedily and satisfactorily put into operation. It was finally decided that a cable be sent asking if a special envoy, clothed with the authority to speak for the Government would be given a sympathetic hearing. The Department's reply (No. 52, Oct. 6, 2 p. m.) was repeated to the Honorable Louis A. Grimes, Attorney General, recently returned representative from the League meeting at Geneva where he was in collaboration with Liberia's representative, Signor Sottile. A few days thereafter Mr. Grimes called at the Legation and after expressing the great regret of the Liberian Government at the continued reluctance on the part of the American Government to signify its intention of renewing the friendly relations which had for so many years existed, placed in my hands the enclosed Memorandum.58 The Legation does not presume to offer any comment on this memorandum in view of the Department's reply contained in the cablegram referred to above and the fact that the text of this document has been to some measure the subject of discussion and review on previous occasions. Respectfully yours, 882.01 Foreign Control/178 CHARLES E. MITCHELL The Minister in Liberia (Mitchell) to the Secretary of State No. 113 MONROVIA, November 24, 1931. [Received December 29.] SIR: I have the honor to report to the Department receipt of "The Report of the Experts Designated by the Committee of the Council of the League of Nations appointed to Study the Problems raised by the Liberian Government's Request for Assistance". |
