File No. 882.00/565
Minister Curtis to
the Secretary of State
No. 112
American Legation,
Monrovia,
July 9, 1917.
Sir: I have the honor to report the receipt of
the program of reform in the administration of the Government of Liberia
proposed by Department, a copy of which was transmitted to General
Receiver of Customs.
A memorandum of said program was transmitted promptly to the Liberian
Government accompanied with a note, a copy of which is herewith enclosed
marked enclosure No. 1.
Before bringing the matter to the attention of the Liberian Government, I
invited the General Receiver and Major commanding the Liberian Frontier
Force to confer with me, the Secretary of Legation and the Military
Attaché.
All of the above-named were present at the said conference which was held
in the Legation and every detail of the said program was discussed and
each conferee was in accord as to the desirability of reform in
administration of the affairs of Liberia and of one mind as to his
willingness and determination to lend all possible aid in furtherance of
the adoption by Liberia of the suggestions and proposals of
Department.
There seems to be a disposition on the part of Liberia to act without
delay upon the said memorandum of reform, as evidenced by the
[Page 884]
calling of the Legislature in
extra session for that purpose, for July 16.
The progress of the Legislature in the premises will be reported to
Department with all convenient despatch.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure]
Minister Curtis
to the Liberian Secretary of State
American Legation,
Monrovia,
June 25, 1917.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith
for the information of the Government of Liberia, a memorandum of a
definite reform program suggested by the Department of State at
Washington for adoption by the Liberian Government.
I am instructed by the Department, in connection with said memorandum
of desirable reforms, to make known to the Government of Liberia its
keen interest in the growth, development and national well-being of
Liberia and its disappointment in the administration of Liberian
affairs, as it feels now that the time has arrived when the
Government of the United States, as next friend of Liberia, must
insist upon a radical change of policy or continue to be subjected
to criticism from other foreign Powers as regards the loan
agreement, which it is not disposed to do.
The temper of the Department as disclosed in said instruction is such
as calls for immediate action on the part of the Liberian Government
with respect to the advice and suggestions set out in the enclosed
memorandum, if it would escape the consequences of the withdrawal of
the friendly support that purely altruistic considerations have
hitherto prompted the Government of the United States to extend.
The manifest determination of the Department, on the other hand, not
only to maintain, but to enlarge upon, the historic attitude of the
friendly interest of the Government of the United States in
Liberia’s welfare, in the proportion of Liberia’s prompt and honest
cooperation in carrying out the said suggested reforms, is just as
unmistakable.
Increased success and prosperity for the Republic of Liberia will, I
am sure, result from the closer and more friendly relations between
the two Governments, which will follow in the wake of the adoption
by Liberia of said suggested reforms, while the absence of tangible
and permanent results in this regard, will doubtless cause the
Department to reach the conclusion, that the failure to thus
translate promise into performance represents the bent of the
Republic as to the need or desirability of reforms.
I have [etc.]
