882.01 Foreign Control/25: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland ( Wilson )

16. Your telegram No. 18, January 31, 1 p.m. Kindly deliver in the usual informal manner the following reply to the Acting Secretary General of the League:

“The Secretary of State of the United States of America has received, with appreciation, the note of January 30, 1931, from the Acting Secretary General of the League of Nations, informing the American Government of the establishment by the Council of the League of Nations of a Committee to examine various questions relating to recommended social and administrative reforms in Liberia, and inviting the American Government to participate thereon.

The American Government is hopeful that the work of this Committee, having to do with subjects regarding which the cooperation of the American Government has already been indicated through its adherence to international slavery, sanitary and other conventions, may contribute in a practical way toward the execution of highly desirable reforms destined to improve the condition of the Liberian people, for whose welfare the people of the United States have always maintained a sympathetic interest.

The American Government accordingly takes pleasure in accepting the above invitation, and is appointing as its representative upon the Committee, Mr. Samuel Reber, Jr., an American diplomatic officer who is at present Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at Monrovia. Mr. Reber has been instructed to leave Monrovia this week and may be expected shortly in Geneva.”

This communication will be given to the press for publication in the morning papers on February 5.

Stimson