882.01 Foreign Control/408: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 14—7:10 a.m.]
298. From Reber. At its session yesterday afternoon the Council adopted the Liberian Committee’s reports relating the plan of assistance and approving the work of Dr. Mackenzie.85 With regard to the latter warm expressions of congratulations were approved by the Council.
Cecil expressed his regret over any further argument in concluding the final settlement of the Liberian problem. In a long speech Grimes stated his Government would loyally abide by the commitments agreed upon and expected that in the choice of specialists, care would be taken to select persons free from racial prejudice. In referring to the “enormous charges” of the loan agreement and the unfortunate results of the delay in the financial negotiations, he maintained that persons representing themselves as interested in the companies concerned had recommended that Liberia reject the League’s plan and adopt a new scheme which was exhibited in Monrovia. This was coupled he said with a threat that unless the latter were adopted no money would be forthcoming.
Zaleski the rapporteur pointed out the American representative had explained that his Government had forwarded the text at the earliest possible moment to the Finance Corporation and that he would transmit to his Government the Committee’s wish that negotiations be begun as soon as possible.
The Council agreed to consider the Liberian question again at its special session in November. [Reber.]
- For the Committee’s reports, see League of Nations, Official Journal, December 1932, pp. 2051 (C.720.1932.VII), 1936 (C.721.1932.VII), and 1935 (C.722.1932. VII). For Dr. Mackenzie’s report, see ibid., p. 2037 (C.662.M.319.1932.VII).↩