Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1917, Supplement 1, The World War

File No. 763.72/4567

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Liberia ( Curtis)

[Telegram]

Washington, May 16, 1917, 6 p.m.

Before Liberia should be asked to declare war on Germany, United States would expect first that British trading vessels on coast of West Africa be permitted to resume their trade with Monrovia. The Department is endeavoring to obtain assurance from British Government that this will be done.

Suggest to Liberian Government that it take no further action against Germany until advised to do so by the Government of the United States.

Lansing