882.5048/40: Telegram

The Third Secretary of Legation in Liberia (Wharton) to the Secretary of State

30. Referring to the Legation’s No. 25, June 28, 8 a.m. The following note received from Secretary of State yesterday afternoon dated the 2d instant:

  • “[1] I am authorized in behalf of my Government to advise you of their acceptance of the suggestion put forth in your note dated June 26 with reference to the composition of a Commission to be set up by the Government of Liberia to examine the question of slavery in Liberia.
  • 2. The procedure will be as follows: As soon as the terms of reference under which the Commission will conduct the investigation have been settled they will be communicated to you and this Government will appreciate any observations or suggestions your Government will be good enough to make thereon.
  • 3. My Government will thereafter request the Government of the United States of America and the Secretariat of the League of Nations to recommend for appointment on the Commission one representative each, whose qualifications it is, of course, expected by the Liberian Government, will fulfill the conditions enumerated in my note of June 11, current.12a Liberian member also will be appointed by the Liberian Government.
  • 4. May I be permitted to reiterate the fact that my Government fully appreciate that your Government in bringing this matter to the attention of the Government of Liberia are inspired by the most friendly and disinterested motives?”

Wharton
  1. This sentence corrected on basis of request contained in despatch No. 13, January 26, 1943, from the Chargé in Liberia (026 Foreign Relations/1635).