882.00/669: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Wallace) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:10 p.m.]
1624. Your 1298 [1398], August 25. Following is summary of statement made by official mentioned in my 1567, August 17. French representative at Monrovia was ordered to urge claims of own nationals pending before Legislature of Liberia and avoid any interference with effort of United States to bring about acceptance by Liberia of plan for loan.
Active support for the American loan by French Government at sacrifice of French interests could not be granted. However, the French Government would be glad to support American loan plan if it could be given aid by United States Government in securing concession for the north and south railway. If French interests controlled majority of shares in railway, France would willingly see British and American participation. French Government according to him is asked to support a loan the terms of which it has never been informed of.
He declared the French Government wishes to cooperate with the American in the efforts of the latter to improve Liberian conditions upon the aforementioned basis, while he regretted that agreement concerning Danish suggestion for tripartite loan to Liberia had been impossible.