763.72119/4109
The Chargé in Liberia (
Bundy
) to the Acting Secretary
of State
No. 287
Monrovia
, January
9, 1919.
[Received March 12.]
Diplomatic
Sir: For the information of the Department I
have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of the instructions which
have been given by the President of Liberia to the Liberian Commission
to the peace conference.
These instructions not only cover all points which the Liberian
Government considers likely to come under the deliberations of the peace
conference, and which are conceived to be matters of prime interest to
the Republic, but they also cover questions which probably will not be
treated by the peace conference. This latter class of questions relates
to matters to be taken up with the British and French Governments
respectively. The advisability of opening negotiations on these various
questions is to be determined, I understand from the President, after
the Liberian delegates have consulted the American Commission with
reference to them.
It is the desire of the President that the Liberian delegation closely
associate itself with the American Commission and work in complete
harmony with it on all matters affecting Liberia. On this point the
President laid great emphasis in several conferences at which I was
present by his invitation just before the Liberian delegates left
Monrovia.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure]
President Howard of Liberia to the Members of the Liberian
Commission to the Peace Conference (
King
,
Dunbar
,
Worley
)
Monrovia
, January 8, 1919.
Gentlemen: Pursuant to your appointment as
Members of the Liberian Commission to the Peace Conference, I have
the honor to instruct you to make representations upon the following
points:
- 1.
- Compensation for the loss of life of Liberian citizens by
enemy action within and without the confines of the
Republic.
- 2.
- Compensation for damage to or destruction of public and
private property within the Republic owned by aliens.
- 3.
- Compensation for indirect losses caused by submarine
activity:
- (a)
- Loss of property in Allied ships by the sinking of
vessels with merchandise and produce in shipment to
and from Liberia.
- (b)
- Establishment of submarine zone curtailing the
services of the Spanish Steamship Line, thus causing
the loss of head money revenue to the
Republic.
- (c)
- Loss due to the suspension of trade.
- 4.
- The holding as part security for claims of damages against
Germany by Liberia of the proceeds from the liquidation of
German property.
- 5.
- Readjustments of boundaries on both the English and French
frontiers so as to include in Liberia territory claimed and
recognized as Liberia’s prior to the Franco-Liberian Treaty
of 18923 and
the Anglo-Liberian Treaty of 1885.4 In the event that a
readjustment cannot be secured upon this basis, you are
instructed to insist upon a ratification according to the
Franco-Liberian Treaty of 1892, and the Anglo-Liberian
Treaty of 1904.5
- The thalweg of all rivers forming
the natural boundaries of the Republic shall be insisted
upon as the political boundaries.
- 6.
- With respect to the final disposition of the German Cable
which touches Liberia, you shall insist upon the right of
Liberia to be consulted, and Liberia will not be bound by
the terms of any arrangement to which she has not given her
approval.
- 7.
- Seizure by the French of the German launch “Malimba” on
the Liberian bank of the Cavalla River.
- 8.
- Elimination of the French Inspector-General of
Hygiene.
- 9.
- Refunding of the Loan of 1912 and the dissolution of the
Receivership, and the replacing of same by American Agents
attached to the Treasury Department.
- 10.
- Confirmation of the offer made to the United States
Government in 1908 for the establishment of a coaling
station in Liberia.
- 11.
- Liberian Prize Court. Claims; Liberian goods seized by
(a) Enemy Vessels, (b) Allied Vessels, (c) Neutral Vessels.
- 12.
- Cancellation of the Charter of the Liberian Development
Company.
- 13.
- Negotiations of new Commercial Treaties upon the basis of
the best interests of the Republic as disclosed by the
economic principles established by the Peace
Conference.
- 14.
- Repatriation of Joshua
Phillips.
- 15.
- On all these points you will seek the advice and
co-operation of the American Delegates.