882.00/827: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Liberia ( Hall )
60. The Liberian Consul General3 called and read portions of a memorandum, which he did not leave with the Department, setting forth in general the substance of the conversation reported in the Liberian note of June 4, forwarded with your 81, June 10, 5 p.m. He inquired whether this would indicate any change in the attitude of the American Government toward the Liberian Government. The Under Secretary4 assured him that there had been no change whatever in the traditional policy of this Government toward Liberia and that informal conversations at social functions could not be taken as influencing the course of action of friendly nations.
During the subsequent conversation on general conditions in Liberia, Mr. Lyon was told that this Government was interested in the efforts of Liberia to rehabilitate her finances and hoped some progress might be made under the Commission which President King had set up for the purpose of considering the cutting down of salaries or cutting out of unnecessary public offices, as only by rigid measures of economy could Liberia hope to attain financial equilibrium.
You may, in your discretion, make informal use of the substance of this telegram.