File No. 763.72/9593
The Chargé in Liberia ( Bundy) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9.17 p.m.]
Liberian Government agreed to stop operation of wireless and cable stations and in reply to its communications commander of submarine makes following demands:
Extreme urgence, dernier ultimatum. Have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your answer to my note from this morning. Being sure of your earnest good will to comply with my demands I will not open fire on the cable and wireless stations which I was in the act of doing when just in time your boat was sent out. I am glad to be able to do so because my gun fire might have hurt innocent people. In answer for this I must put to you the following demands:
- (1)
- The French flag is to be removed from its place shown to your commissioners;
- (2)
- Fire is to be set on all houses belonging to the wireless and cable stations, the apparatus of each station to be destroyed;
- (3)
- One and two to be executed within one hour after your commissioners have reached the shore.
I have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servant, Gercke, Kapitan Lieutenant and Commandant S.M.U. Kreuzer U.
Liberian Government has not yet given its final answer to these demands but in any case it looks as if the wireless and cable stations at Monrovia will be put out of commission accordingly. This is probably the last message I will be able to send the Department. It is urgently requested that assistance be sent at the earliest possible moment.