File No. 882.51/439.
The Acting Secretary of State to the American Minister.
Washington, September 12, 1912.
Your July 29. Department has informed German Chargé d’Affaires here that, the General Receiver and the Receiver of Customs being alike officers of Liberia, its unwillingness to recognize in that capacity persons holding dual position of Receiver of Customs and consular officer would be so reasonable as to enlist the moral support of this Government and that this Government would find it difficult to ask the Government of Liberia to depart from the principle for which it is contending.
Department has informed French Chargé d’Affaires that if plan to have French Receiver at post nearest Franco-Liberian frontier meets with acquiescence of other Governments concerned and should give rise to no valid objection now unforeseen on part of Liberia or those responsible for receivership, this Government will lend its support.
French Government has asked as compensation for its assent in designation Lange Monrovia that this Government approve such facilities favorable to France as may be required for rectification Franco-Liberian boundary. Department’s position expressed in reply is that it would be surprised to find the view entertained that territorial compensation would be a proportionate counterpoise to matter no graver than Lange’s location and that this Government would greatly deprecate reopening any question of boundary at this time.