Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1932, The British Commonwealth, Europe, Near East and Africa, Volume II

882.01 Foreign Control/182a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul at Geneva (Gilbert)

Washington, January 8, 1932—6 p.m.

5. For Reber. Unless you perceive some specific objection for so doing, I suggest in accordance with arrangement by telephone just before you sailed that you ascertain whether or not the Secretariat has made any move to inform Firestones and/or the Finance Corporation that a meeting will shortly be held to discuss the report² wherein their interests are specifically mentioned. You should be careful not to give the impression that this Government wishes to request that such notification be made, as I would wish to avoid the possibility of stirring up technical considerations or objections which might later be used as arguments to obscure the main issue of the meeting. There is, of course, no objection from the point of view of this Government to such notification by the Secretariat, which would be very welcome to the American interests mentioned.

The following is for your own information only:

Under date of January 7, the Department addressed a letter to the Finance Corporation the pertinent part of which is as follows:

“Inasmuch as the report of the experts makes numerous references to your interests in Liberia and your possible participation in such reform measures as may be recommended by the Committee, I believe you would wish to be informed of the forthcoming meeting, since it may become advisable to have your views promptly available to the Committee through a representative if they should request them.”

It is understood that Hines, representing Firestones, and Howe, representing the Finance Corporation, will probably sail on the Olympic January 12. As soon as the Department is informed as to the major features of a possible revision of the loan contract³ which the Finance Corporation would be willing in the event of request by Liberia or the Committee, to consider, you will be informed by telegraph for your own confidential information.

Stimson

2. i.e., Report of the Experts designated by the Committee of the Council of the League of Nations appointed to study the Problem raised by the Liberian Government’s Request for Assistance; for text, see League of Nations, Official Journal, July 1932, p. 1359 (document C./Liberia/4(1)).
3. The 1926 agreement signed by the Finance Corporation of America and the National City Bank of New York with the Liberian Government, Foreign Relations, 1926, vol. ii, p. 574.