123 Mitchell, Charles E./45: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Vice Consul at Monrovia (Wall)
24. The following instructions to the Minister34 should be decoded immediately for presentation to him on his arrival:
In view of the continued failure of Liberia to adopt and execute effective measures of reform, and the attitude of the present Liberian administration, as indicated both by the Liberian delegate at Geneva last month and by recent events in Monrovia, I do not desire you to present your credentials at this time, nor to call upon either the Acting President or the Acting Secretary of State.
When required, informal communications may continue to be sent to the Acting Secretary of State, who should be addressed by name but not by title. These communications (which should, of course, either be prepared by you or with your approval) should be signed by Wall, who should use no title.
Should the Acting Secretary of State call upon you you may receive him informally and unofficially. You should take occasion to explain [Page 673] the position of this Government as outlined in the first paragraph and to say that, should Liberia request international control in order to assist it to execute absolutely necessary reforms, the American Government, as Mr. Reber has already explained, would offer no objection. You may add that the American Government feels that in such action on the part of Liberia lies the only hope for the future.
For your information: The International Committee referred to in the Department’s telegram No. 17, February 3, noon,35 will hold its first meeting on February 26, in London instead of Geneva.