882.51/1167: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Wallace)
1433. Department has been informed by the American Chargé d’Affaires at Monrovia that the French Chargé d’Affaires has recently [Page 95] been taking advantage of the present unfavorable attitude of the Liberian Government towards the American loan plan by resuming strong representations that Liberia grant subsidy for railway concession which has already been applied for, and also that he has given emphatic notice that the American loan policy must be rejected since no agreement or understanding between France and the United States has been reached on the question of the rehabilitation of Liberia.
It is impossible to reconcile the above information with the assurances which have recently been given the Embassy by the French Foreign Office. It is desired that you will see the Minister for Foreign Affairs in person and review to him the previous representations made by the Embassy regarding the French attitude in Liberia and you will vigorously protest against the reported action of the French representative. This Government cannot but believe that the French Chargé d’Affaires has misinterpreted the attitude which his Government desires him to assume. This Government now feels sure that the French Government will immediately direct (and see that its instructions are complied with) its Chargé d’Affaires to inform the President of Liberia that the French Government fully expects that the Liberian Government will accept the American loan plan and furthermore that any procrastination by the Liberian Government in debating the subject can only prolong the difficult situation now existing and can in no way benefit it. The Department hopes that the French Government will now take a definite and unequivocal position in the matter and support the United States at Monrovia in the frank and friendly manner which we have the right to expect.