882.5048/56: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland ( Wilson )
83. Department’s mail instruction 522, June 19.19
On August 9 Department gave following statement to press: “A telegram received from the American Legation at Monrovia dated August 9 states that the Liberian Government has officially requested that the Department make public announcement that the Liberian Government is appointing an international commission to investigate alleged forced labor conditions in Liberia, the commission to be composed of one Liberian, one American and one other member. The Liberian Government further states its hope that the United States and the League of Nations will each agree, upon the request of the Liberian Government, to recommend a member to be appointed to the commission.” In response to inquiries the Department further stated “that it would be glad to cooperate with such a commission”.20
[Paraphrase.] The commission’s terms of reference have as yet not been perfected, but they are expected to be completed in a very few days and to afford the broadest basis possible for the proposed inquiry. The full text will be sent to you immediately following agreement with the Liberian Government.
If requested, the Department intends to nominate the commission’s American member whose expenses and those of a secretary accompanying him will be paid by the Department. Upon the basis of the mail instruction above and of this telegram, you should informally discuss the matter with the League of Nations Secretary General and ascertain if the League would be ready to do likewise on being requested by the Liberian Government.
[Page 297]You may add that great importance is attached by the Department to this commission’s early successful organization. [End paraphrase.]