882.124a/99: Telegram

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

126. Department’s telegram Nos. 79 and 80.

1.
I had discussed with Loomis and Hines the advisability of withholding the Finance Corporation’s reply to the Liberian Government’s request for $11,000 sanitation funds until after the question of an answer to the Finance Corporation’s letter had been discussed with the President. It was felt that should the matter be settled no reference need be made to the failure of the Liberian Government either to correct the measures in dispute or to reply to the letters in regard thereto. The three of us are in accord as to the urgent necessity of immediate establishment of a sanitary program and that sanitation should be kept separate from the alleged loan agreement breaches, but consider that it might be unwise to insist upon this before the President’s attitude toward suggested reforms could be determined. See my telegram No. 125, September 21, 9 p.m.6
2.
In regard to the sanitary police and authority to be granted the medical adviser, Hines was temporarily unable to consult with us prior to the despatch of my telegram No. 119. He did, however, reach Monrovia later and in discussing his suggestions to be forwarded to the Finance Corporation little stress was laid on the question of authority as it was felt that this aspect of the question had been covered in my report. All of us believe, however, that it is essential to provide the medical adviser with ample authority. This may be accomplished by an Executive order later to be confirmed by Legislature.
Reber
  1. Ante, p. 351.