882.5048/414
The Liberian Acting Secretary of State (Coleman) to the American Chargé in Liberia (Reber)53
Mr. Chargé d’affaires: Replying further to the memorandum of your Government received at this Department on the 3rd instant, I have been instructed by my Government to confirm this Department’s Note No. 663/D of the 5th instant in which it was pointed out that in conjunction with the measures already taken by my Government as intimated therein, a programme of the definite reforms contemplated as a means of convincing the International World of the Liberian Government’s serious intentions and earnest desire, within the limits of its means, to carry out such social and administrative reforms as would remove the impressions unfortunately created by [Page 390] the report of the International Commission of Inquiry, to which end the Government sought Legislative approval for a programme of reform measures which was approved and is contained in the following Acts:
- 1.
- Reorganization of the Hinterland Administration and providing for the employment of foreign administrative officials.
- 2.
- An Act relating to Contract Labour recruited for service overseas.
- 3.
- An Act permitting unrestricted trade in the hinterland of Liberia, both to Citizens and Aliens alike.
- 4.
- An Act declaring pawning illegal.
- 5.
- An Act relating to Sanitation.
- 6.
- Investigations have been commenced in the Department of Justice for the purpose of collecting evidence to prosecute persons alleged in the report of the Commission to have committed breaches of the law.
In view of the very generous offer of assistance contained in your Government’s memorandum; “that when the details of the reform programme were received the American Government would study them with a view to rendering assistance,” my Government will greatly appreciate your communicating these facts to your Government towards the end of securing their cooperation.
Enclose please find two copies of the Acts above mentioned.54
I have [etc.]