Office of the Historian

882.5048/75: Telegram

The Chargé in Liberia (Wharton) to the Secretary of State

Monrovia, September 7, 1929—4 p.m.
[Received September 8—5:58 p.m.]

46. I have complied with the Department’s 33, August 28, 8 p.m., and I have given Barclay a draft of the terms of reference as determined by our discussions as follows:

In introductory paragraph insert the following word “International” before “Commission”, paragraphs (a), (b), (c), 2, 3, as stated in my telegram of July 24, noon; paragraph (d), as stated in my telegram 41, Aug. 22, 9 p.m. and your 33, Aug. 28, 8 p.m.; paragraphs (e), (f) and (g), as stated in Department’s 29, Aug. 3, noon; paragraph 4, substitute “four months” for “two months”.

[Page 307]

Note received from Liberian Government yesterday stating:26

(1)
Terms of reference for Commission to inquire into alleged existence of slavery “and a system of forced [labor] which is [assimilated to] slavery as defined in the anti-slavery convention of 1926”.27
(2)
Confirming understanding that Commission authorized to call for pertinent public documents.
(3)
“The form and contents of the terms of reference having been settled, I have the honor to solicit your good offices in conveying to your Government the request of the Government of Liberia that the Government of the United States will assist my Government in effectuating its desire for an impartial investigation of the facts relative to the shipment of laborers from Liberia to Fernando Po and elsewhere and the recruitment and employment of compulsory labor in Liberia by the nomination for appointment on the Commission of Inquiry of a citizen of the United States possessing the qualifications already indicated to you.”
(4)
Grateful acknowledgments to the Department for practical suggestions received.

In answer to my inquiry today as to (1) exact form and contents of the terms of reference and referring to my draft given to Barclay, (2) time Liberia intends to publish terms, and (3) request to League recommended member of the Commission, I have received note28 stating (1) form and contents of terms as settled by the Liberian Government correctly set out in my draft, (2) intention is not to publish terms until after the Commission is set up, and (3) request to League, 6th instant.

Wharton
  1. Note No. 591/D, dated September 4, 1929.↩
  2. Text of sentence corrected on basis of copy enclosed with Chargé’s despatch Diplomatic No. 374, September 10, 1929 (882.5048/108).↩
  3. Note No. 602/D, dated September 7, 1929.↩