751.8215/177

The Ambassador in France ( Herrick ) to the Secretary of State

No. 1109

Sir: With reference to your Instruction No. 111, of December 3, 1921, (File No. 751.8215/173), relative to the delimitation of the Franco-Liberian Boundary, I have the honor to report that upon inquiry at the Foreign Office I was informed that the delay in proceeding with this boundary delimitation was due to the difficulty [Page 636] of finding a competent expert. I gathered that no one in the employ of the Ministry of the Colonies was anxious to be sent up country and the Director of Political Affairs with whom I spoke suggested that our Government should urge the Liberian Government to insist upon the appointment of a French boundary commissioner, which would enable the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to force the hand of the Ministry of the Colonies.

I inquired if there was any other reason for delay to which the reply was in the negative, Mr. de Peretti stating on the contrary that it was to everyone’s advantage that the boundary should be settled as soon as possible.

I have [etc.]

For the Ambassador:
Sheldon Whitehouse