Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, 1929, Volume III

882.5048/107

The Liberian Secretary of State (Barclay) to the American Chargé in Liberia (Wharton)²⁵

Monrovia, August 28, 1929.

Mr. Chargé d’affaires: In order that there may be no misunderstanding I undertake to write out my observations to you during the conversation had on the morning of the 27th:

1. The American Chargé d’Affaires informed the Liberian Secretary of State that it had come to the attention of the American Department of State that native labourers recently shipped to Fernando Poo were being shipped under a special arrangement and not under the Agreement concluded between Liberia and Spain in 1914; that in view of the wording of paragraph E of the proposed terms of reference some expression from the Liberian Secretary of State as to the basis of shipments would be appreciated by the Chargé d’Affaires.

2. Further the Chargé d’Affaires stated that it is said that Mr. S. A. Ross stated that he was recruiting and shipping native labourers under a Special Executive Permit.

3. The Chargé d’Affaires asked if any labourers were shipped under any other Agreement or arrangements than that with the Spanish Government of 1914, and whether any of the labourers were shipped direct to private persons or companies.

4. The Secretary of State said in reply to the enquiries of the Chargé d’Affaires that when he was discharging the duties of the Chief Executive during President King’s absence in 1927, a question arising out of what he held to be a violation by the Spanish authorities of the 1914 Agreement led him to give notice that the Convention would terminate six months thereafter as provided in the Agreement. He also ordered all shipments of labourers to cease immediately, on the date of the notice. The Spanish representative at Monrovia reported this action to Madrid, where it was held that the Secretary of State’s action in stopping shipments was not in accord with a correct interpretation of the Convention. The Spanish Ambassador in London was instructed to approach President King, who was then in London, and suggest to him that the Secretary of State’s interpretation of the effect of the notice was incorrect, since it was obvious that the obligations of the Convention could not be nullified until the expiry of six months after notice. The Spanish Government held that they had a right to continue recruiting up to the end of the six months. President King agreed with the Spanish view. But shipments of labourers had already completely ceased under the Secretary of State’s orders. The Spanish Government sent out a special representative to come to an understanding with the Liberian Government. They were led to take this step because of stagnation in the agricultural industry at Fernando Poo due to a lack of labour. Whilst the official discussions were going on, a Private Agricultural Syndicate sent representatives to Monrovia with a view to coming to an arrangement with the Government for a supply of labourers on their own account. They were informed that the Government would not treat with a private organization on this question.

5. The discussion with the Spanish Representative did not eventuate in a mutual accord, and pending a settlement of the difference he requested as a special favour that the Liberian Government should assist in ameliorating conditions in Fernando Poo where the crops could not be gathered for lack of Liberian Labour. The President promised, that, as a matter of comity, he would permit the recruitment and shipment of 3,000 labourers over a period of two years as from July 1928, under the terms of the 1914 Agreement, but advised them that when that number was reached they could not expect to receive any more labourers from Liberia. This is, perhaps, what Mr. Ross meant by a Special Permit. No Special Permits were given at any time. So far as the Secretary knows or is advised no shipments have been made to private persons or companies except perhaps by clandestine methods by agents sent from British possessions. The Secretary of State further observed that the Liberian Government had no knowledge of labourers being shipped to the Congo until the fact was brought to their knowledge by Mr. D. A. Ross, Manager of the Firestone Plantations Company sometime in March, 1929, whilst he was discussing the shortage of labour in Maryland County. The President had been greatly annoyed over this, as he had ordered that labourers should not go to the Congo owing to the unhealthy conditions there which had been reported to exist. Application had been made by a private French firm for permission to recruit labourers for service in the Congo and this had been refused, unless special arrangements were made between the two Governments. If indeed shipments had been made to the Congo, they were unauthorized.

The Secretary of State in concluding said he was anxious to complete the Terms of Reference as soon as possible.

I am [etc.]

[File copy not signed]

25. Copy transmitted to the Department by the Chargé in Liberia in his despatch Diplomatic No. 371, September 7; received October 26, 1929.