File No. 763.72/5085b

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

[Telegram]

For your information. The Department is still negotiating with the British Government regarding the resumption of normal trade conditions in Liberia. Until this question has been settled the Department will not advise Liberia to declare war against Germany and remove the German population.

Your telegraphic despatches, more especially your unnumbered telegram of May 11,1 convey the impression that the American Receiver General is anxious to retain the German Receiver in Monrovia. The Department does not fully understand his attitude and does not acquiesce in the view that the British and French Receivers will use their majority vote to offset his influence. The Department desires a cable report on this matter.

Lansing
  1. Not printed.