Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1930, Volume III

882.001/58: Telegram

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

Monrovia, December 10, 1930–noon
[Received 5:11 p.m.⁴⁹

174. Department’s telegrams Nos. 110, 111, and 112. In its official notification of the change of government, the Liberian Department of State informed me Barclay was sworn in as Constitutional President. It has today replied to my recent inquiry stating:

• “(1) The resignation of the Vice President was presented to the Legislature on the 2nd instant. It was addressed to the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in session. It was accepted by the Senate and House of Representatives on the 2nd instant.
• (2) President King did not call a national election to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the Vice President, as his own resignation followed the next day.
• (3) President King’s resignation was addressed to the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of Liberia in Legislature assembled. It was received and accepted on the 3rd instant by both Houses in joint convention.
• (4) No law was passed by the Legislature naming a successor to President King as the agreement [act of] the Legislature passed 1901 in accordance with the provision of the Liberian Constitution, and which from that time to the present has been the law followed in such exigencies, provides what official shall succeed to the office of President in the event of resignation of both the President and Vice President.
• (5) Under section 971 of the Revised Statutes referred to, arrangements are being made for the election of a President and Vice President for the Republic which is due to take place on the second Tuesday in May ensuing.”

Election referred to is the regular quadrennial one for President.

[Paraphrase.] In view of the United States Government’s position, the British Chargé here has requested instructions before he takes any step recognizing the new Liberian Government.

There has been no response by the new Government to my intimations with regard to the advisability of a declaration by it of its policy and intentions or to the inadequacy of its communication recently, though Barclay, I am informed, was considerably disturbed by them and is hastening to effect some of the suggested minor reforms. He is endeavoring also to settle differences with the Finance Corporation.

For the moment the opposition to Barclay appears to be relatively quiet, but his position as a leader of the anti-white element may be weakened if he is forced, as a result of foreign pressure, to adopt unpopular reform measures. [End paraphrase.]

Reber

49. Telegram in two sections.