882.00/626: Telegram
The Minister in Liberia (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:38 p.m.]
Department’s diplomatic instructions number 23 dated April 4, 1917,43 contained suggestion that War and Interior be combined under one head. Instead of following this suggestion Liberian Legislature at call session 1917 combined by law Interior and Education Departments. After Legislature adjourned President by Executive [Page 113] order assigned duties of Secretary of War to the head of Interior and Education Departments. Thus three Departments have been operating under one head. President Howard verbally informs me that President-elect King has advised him that next administration would again establish Education Department and separate War from Interior and each of these three Departments would have head of Cabinet rank. It has been intimated that Department was approached on this matter by Mr. King and as no expression was made against this procedure it would be adopted. With reference to foregoing Legation respectfully requests instructions for its guidance particularly as to separating War and Interior Departments. No reasons are known to Legation making it inadvisable to establish again Education Department.