882.6176 F 51/195a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Liberia (Wharton)
6. Mr. Firestone has called at the Department to discuss the changes in the Planting Agreements proposed by the Liberian Legislature. He states that the Planting Agreements were signed by him and by the Secretary of State of Liberia, Mr. Barclay, who was understood to have full power to commit the Liberian Government under the Liberian Act of ratification of January, 1925;15 that he considers the Planting Agreements as signed to constitute a definite and binding contract, and that he is, therefore, unable to consent to the changes now proposed therein. He feels certain that no misunderstandings can arise thereunder which will not be readily susceptible of friendly adjustment, but he states definitely that acceptance of the Planting Agreements as signed is the essential basis for any further dealings with the Liberian Government.
[Page 519]The Department agrees with Mr. Firestone that the Liberian Government should fulfill the Planting Agreements in strict accord with its pledged word. The Liberian Government should remember that no loan negotiations would have been possible unless the bankers had understood that the Planting Agreements were definite and final and that they could depend upon the good faith of both Mr. Firestone and the Liberian Government.
You should communicate the foregoing to the Liberian Government both orally and in writing.