882.124A/8: Telegram
The Chargé in Liberia (Wharton) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:20 p.m.]
65. Referring to Department’s telegram number 37, October 8, 6 p.m. Liberian Government submits following modifications to the proposed memorandum agreement:
- First article, second sentence to read: “He will be directly responsible to the President of Liberia and with his approval shall make health investigations and surveys and institute corrective sanitary measures not contrary to the organic and statutory laws of Liberia. [Page 327] For the enforcement of such corrective sanitary measures the chief medical officer shall be furnished ample police assistance by the Government.”
- Second article, “reasonable leaves” changed to “a reasonable leave.”
- Third article, $15,000 reduced to $12,000 and add to the end of first sentence: “in keeping with the provision of article one hereof.” The second sentence changed to: “This fund shall be operated upon solely by the chief medical adviser who shall account for his expenditures thereunder to the Treasury Department in conformity with the Treasury laws and regulations of Liberia.”
- Fourth article, add to end of sentence: “and the organic and statutory laws of Liberia will permit.”
- Fifth article, second clause, changed to: “and should no notice of its termination be given within that period by either parties, shall continue in force for another period of twelve months but subject to termination before the expiration of that period upon three months notice.”
Barclay’s note states that [he?] accepts in principle and if the modifications acceptable to the Department he will be pleased formally to conclude the agreement.
With reference to offer of the Advisory Committee, Barclay expresses President’s appreciation “generous offer but before indicating whether or not the Liberian Government are prepared to accept it, it is desired that conditions on which offer is being made should be fully communicated to this government.” In this connection Liberian Government was informed that the committee “is prepared to furnish this sum of $7,500 for the first year; this will leave $7,500 of the $15,000 provided for in article three of the proposed memorandum agreement to be furnished by the Liberian Government.”
Report of Dr. Walcott has been submitted to the Liberian Government which states yellow fever here now and recommends person from United States Public Health Service. His report states “laws already on the statute books of Liberia are quite sufficient to deal with this situation if rigidly enforced.”
I feel court authority absolutely necessary in article 1. Loomis advises $18,000 has been stipulated for sanitation in proposed budget as drafted.