File No. 882.51/532.

The American Chargé d’Affaires to the Secretary of State.

No. 98.]

Sir: I have the honor to report to the Department that Mr. Pigott, who was named and had accepted the position as arbiter on the German merchants’ claims commission, was subsequently rejected by the German Government although in the first instance he had been named by the German Consul. The Liberian Government thought this procedure very irregular but for the sake of peace did not insist upon the retention of Mr. Pigott.

I have heard that the German Consul approached the French Vice Consul at Monrovia and requested him to serve, but it appears that the French Government did not give its assent when the matter was laid before it; so the French Vice Consul was not able to serve. The German Consul then turned to Mr. I. Odin, a Frenchman, and the local manager of the French wireless station at Monrovia. Mr. Odin agreed to serve and the Liberian Government found no objection to his nomination; so the commission was finally constituted of Mr. Fritz Specht, German representative; Mr. James Cooper, Liberian representative; and Mr. I. Odin, arbiter.

The commission began its sittings on March 18th, at Monrovia, and claims for damages sustained at Brewerville by the German merchants were the first to be brought before the commission. I have been reliably informed that after a two days examination of these claims, the commission awarded eight hundred dollars ($800) to the claimants. The original amount of the claims filed for the Brewerville damages was, I understand, about fifteen hundred dollars ($1500).

On March 24th, the commission left Monrovia aboard the German gunboat Panther, for Grand Bassa, where it has resumed its work. It is expected that all of the claims will be investigated and the awards made in less than a month’s time if no untoward conditions arise.

There remains open the question of the terms of settlement. I am informed that it has been agreed between the German and Liberian Governments that this question shall be disposed of after the commission’s [Page 680] awards are made. It is hoped that acceptable terms of settlement may be arranged without arousing any further friction between the two Governments.

I am [etc.]

Richard C. Bundy.