882.5048/321: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Liberia (Reber)
97. Department’s telegram No. 92, October 22, 5 p.m. Unless you perceive controlling reasons why it should not be done at the present time (in which case you should report to the Department by telegraph, soliciting further instructions) you will please deliver the following note to the Liberian Government:
“Under telegraphic instructions from my Government, I have the honor to inform you that the Secretary of State has received from the American member of the International Commission of Inquiry into the Existence of Slavery and Forced Labor in Liberia a signed copy of the unanimous report which was recently submitted by that Commission to the Liberian Government.
The Government of the United States is profoundly shocked at this revelation of the existence in the Republic established in the name of human freedom of conditions not only in tragic contrast to the ideals of its founders, but in denial of the engagements entered into by the Republic of Liberia through its adherence to the International Slavery Convention of 1926. My Government fears that the forthcoming publication of this report will cause a revulsion of feeling throughout the civilized world against the Republic of Liberia, which international public opinion will hold responsible for the conditions and practices reported by the International Commission.
In view of the recent assurance of the Liberian Government ‘that it accepts the recommendations and suggestions of the International Commission of Inquiry and agrees to adopt said recommendations’ the Government of the United States is convinced that the Government of Liberia fully realizes that its prestige before the world will now depend upon the sincerity and effectiveness with which it puts [Page 366] promptly into execution the reform measures to which it stands solemnly committed.
I avail myself et cetera.”
On the day on which you formally transmit the foregoing note to the Liberian Secretary of State, you are instructed to seek an audience with President King and to give him an unsigned copy thereof. At that time the Department desires you to stress to the President the extreme concern with which this Government regards the existence of the conditions outlined in the report. You should emphasize that while this Government is gratified at the expression of willingness on the part of Liberia to comply with the recommendations of the International Commission, nothing short of complete reforms, sincerely achieved, can satisfy the world-wide demand for positive action which the publication of the report will undoubtedly cause.
The Department proposes to release for publication the summary of the findings and recommendations of the Commission, taken from the report itself, immediately upon the receipt of information that you have delivered the note. The full report will be published as soon as certain supplementary material which Dr. Johnson is now preparing, is completed. It may be several weeks before the full report can be printed.