882.01 Foreign Control/289: Telegram
The Minister in Liberia (Mitchell) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 25—4:25 p.m.]
66. Department’s telegram 39, June 18, 9 p.m. In an informal confidential talk with Barclay confirmed June 23rd he stated that he fully appreciates the situation but finds himself unable to take definite action without prior authorization by the Legislature. To this end he is summoning extraordinary session of the Legislature early in July to whom he will submit the plan. His suggestion to the Legislature will take the form of acceptance in principle of the League plan, provided the chief adviser shall be an American citizen [Page 743] recommended by the President of the United States, nominated by the League and accepted by the President of Liberia, who will be attached to central government as a minister without portfolio and whose powers will be as extensive as provided in the League plan except to judicial functions which cannot be granted to executive officials.
The term of his services will be definite as provided in the League’s plan.
Barclay feels that if his proposal of an American as chief adviser is acceptable to the League that this official should be promptly appointed and proceed to Monrovia at once, examine the situation on the spot and elaborate a practical plan of procedure. His idea is that the chief adviser could progressively carry out a plan within the limits of the League proposal; that is to say, that the personnel shall be employed only in such numbers as and when requisite until the required number has been reached.
He considers, however, he would have to be assured in advance that the Finance Corporation and the Firestone Plantations Company would accept the principles of the League proposal with such modifications as may be arranged between the companies and the Liberian Government. The Liberian Government would be unwilling to take the initiative in proposing amendments to contracts to which they are legally and morally bound unless they are assured the companies themselves are in harmony with the plan.