Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Africa and South Asia, Volume XI, Part 1

776.58/4–154

The Liberian Ambassador (Simpson) to the Secretary of State

Washington, 1 April 1954.

My Dear Mr. Secretary: Under instructions received from my Government, I have the honour to advise the Government of the United States of America that because of the universal strengthening of defense for the benefit of national security and with a view to preventing aggression and the ruthless spread of Communism, Liberia recently sent a delegation which participated in discussions at Dakar, Senegal, for the defense of Africa South of the Sahara and West Africa in particular.

With a view to implementing the objective of the discussions mentioned in the preceding paragraph due to the present uncertain posture of the world, and in consideration of the historic friendly relations between the United States of America and Liberia, I am directed to submit for the kind consideration of the Government of the United States the following points of mutual interest:

a) Liberia in virtue of the role played by her in World War II by the use of Roberts Field as a military air base from which thousands of United Nations military aircrafts were serviced and took off in the deadly struggle against Nazi aggression which contributed largely to the success of the cause of democracy;

b) The large supply of natural rubber produced in Liberia and which also contributed to the cause of the United Nations fighting against aggression and for the freedom of mankind; and which natural product has increased in volume since the cessation of hostilities of that war and will be made available to the United States in case of another emergency;

c) The construction of the Free Port of Monrovia since World War II that is to be made available to the United States as a military naval base in case of emergency in which the United States may be involved;

d) the iron ore mines at Bomi Hills being operated by the Liberia Mining Company, an American Concessionaire; also the huge concession granted the United African American Development Corporation for the exploitation of iron ore, manganese, corundum, bauxite and other ores and minerals; all of which make the country very vulnerable to attack in case of emergency in which the United States may be involved;

e) The Liberian Government’s experience in World Wars I and II when she made declarations of war against the Axis powers and her coast line of more than 350 miles with her cities, towns and villages and the inhabitants thereof lay open to enemy attack and a German submarine bombarded the capital city, Monrovia, and sunk Allied vessels upon the gaze of the population of the country living on the coastal areas;

f) Considering the tremendous advance in modern warfare, the invention of super-dangerous and most destructive implements of war, having almost limitless capacity and ability to strike everywhere and anywhere with the most deadly effectiveness, the Government of Liberia views with serious and grave concern her dangerous and defenseless situation in such uncertain times as these and in a world with such a ruthless and unconscionable enemy as Russian Communism, therefore presents the above and appeals to and requests the Government of the United States of America to:

1. Change the present arrangements of the United States Military Mission to Liberia under the Agreement executed January 11, 1951,¹ to that of a Military Assistance Advisory Group;

2. That negotiations be undertaken for a total military and naval survey of the Liberian coast and borders with a view of working out a program that will insure better internal security and general defense in case of an emergency in which the United States may be involved, on such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed upon.

I have the honour to indicate that my Government would be infinitely obliged if the Government of the United States were to find it practicable to consider this matter at its earliest convenience.²

I avail myself [etc.]

C. L. Simpson

1. For the text of the agreement, see Department of State Treaties and Other International Acts Series (TIAS) No. 2171 or United States Treaties and Other International Agreements (UST), vol. 2, p. 1.
2. On Apr. 21, Ambassador Simpson was informed that the Liberian proposal was being studied and that a reply would be forthcoming at the earliest possible date. (776.58/4–154)