Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, 1928, Volume I

711.8212Anti-War/7

The Minister in Liberia (Francis) to the Secretary of State

Monrovia, August 27, 1928.
[Received September 21.]

No. 114 Diplomatic

Sir: I have the honor to confirm this Mission’s cable No. 31, August 25, 10 A.M.²⁵ and to acknowledge receipt of Department’s circular cable of August 16, 11 P.M.,²⁶ via the Embassy at Paris, August 19, containing information’ concerning the signing of the Multilateral Treaty for the Renunciation of War to take effect on Monday, August 27, 1928, at Paris, with instructions covering the entire matter. And further to acknowledge receipt of Department’s cable of August 21, 4 [5?] P.M.,²⁵ via the Embassy at Paris, containing in the French language the text of the Treaty, with instructions that the treaty in the French text be delivered to the Foreign Office of the Republic of Liberia simultaneously with the Note containing the English text.

As requested the Secretary of State of the Republic of Liberia was, on the morning of the 23rd day of August, informally advised in accordance with instructions; and on this day, Monday, August 27, 1928, the original Note, together with the text of the Treaty in French, was formally delivered to His Excellency the Secretary of State of the Republic of Liberia, and he was informed that the French text was delivered at the request of the French Government and that an identic Note, mutatis mutandis, is being delivered simultaneously in the other world capitals, and that pursuant to the procedure which has been followed through the present negotiations the text thereof is being promptly released for publication.

His Excellency expressed the pleasure of his Government over the consummation of such an important undertaking and delivered to me, for transmission to my Government in accordance with Article III of the Multilateral Treaty, formal notice of the adherence of the Government of the Republic of Liberia to the treaty.

Inasmuch as there are no daily or weekly publications in Monrovia, an invitation was extended to the representatives of the monthly publications to attend a conference at the Legation at 4 P.M., August 23, at which time the importance of the event was impressed upon them and a memorandum covering the signing of the Multilateral Treaty was handed to each of them to be released for publication, as far as their limited space will permit, in the issue immediately following the 28th of August.

This Legation awaits the arrival of the pamphlets containing the Briand proposal and the correspondence ending with the Note of July 20, 1928, when it will make a copy immediately available to the Foreign Office.

I have the further honor to enclose copy of the Note to the Foreign Office of the Republic of Liberia; original adherence to the treaty by the Republic of Liberia, copy of the text of the treaty in French; copy of the invitation to the representatives of the press and copy of the memorandum delivered to the representatives of the press at the press conference.²⁷

I have [etc.]

W. T. Francis

[Enclosure]

The Liberian Secretary of State (Barclay) to the American Minister (Francis)

Monrovia, August 27, 1928.

692/D

Mr. Minister: Having followed with interest and sympathy the negotiations entered upon by the United States and certain other Powers with a view to the conclusion of a treaty binding them to renounce war as an instrument of national policy in their relations with one another, the Government of the Republic of Liberia have learned with satisfaction that such a treaty has eventually been concluded and that it was signed today at Paris by the original parties thereto.

2. My Government being deeply interested in the aim sought to be achieved by the treaty are desirous of identifying themselves with the beneficent purposes of the signatory powers. To that end, therefore, they are availing themselves of the provisions of Article III of the Treaty, and have instructed me to give formal notice of the adherence of the Government of the Republic of Liberia to the treaty for the renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy, signed at Paris August 27, 1928.

3. Acting upon these instructions, I have the honour formally to notify you of the adherence of my Government to the treaty above referred to, and to solicit your good offices in facilitating the deposit of this instrument of adherence at Washington.

With sentiments of distinguished consideration, I have [etc.]

Edwin Barclay

25. Not printed.
26. Ante, p. 149.
25. Not printed.
27. The enclosures listed in this paragraph are not printed.