763.72119/4109

The Chargé in Liberia ( Bundy ) to the Acting Secretary of State

No. 287

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.]

Richard C. Bundy
[Enclosure]

President Howard of Liberia to the Members of the Liberian Commission to the Peace Conference ( King , Dunbar , Worley )

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.

D. E. Howard
  1. British and Foreign State Papers, vol. lxxxiv, p. 626, and vol. lxxxv, p. 639.
  2. Ibid., vol. lxxvi, p. 88.
  3. Possibly a reference is intended to the convention of Jan. 21, 1911 (see ibid., vol. civ, p. 181), which in turn refers to the “provisional” boundary laid down by the Anglo-Liberian Boundary Commission of 1902–3.