File No. 882.51/518.

The Secretary of State to the American Ambassador to Germany.

[Telegram—Paraphrase.]

Owing to the strained financial conditions of Liberia the Government of that country looks for most favorable terms in the settlement of the German claims. If the German Government’s suggestion is accepted the claims must be paid in much less time than one year as originally proposed. The total of the claims will probably not exceed $25,000. Again bring to the attention of the German Government the Liberian proposal contained in Department’s telegram of the 8th instant and add that under the circumstances it seems that the Liberian Government cannot be expected to offer a better settlement of the claims.

Knox.