882.01 Foreign Control/673: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 8—6:42 p.m.]
225. From General Winship. My telegram No. 224, October 7, 9 p.m. Tomorrow’s meeting will probably be public. To forestall an attack by Grimes on the nationality question, which would receive considerable support by other members of the Committee, I am making the following statement:
“The American Government has not heretofore expressed itself before the Committee on the question of the nationality of the Chief Adviser to Liberia under the proposed League plan of assistance. It has been the personal view of the American representative that what was needed was a man of outstanding character, competence and ability, irrespective of his nationality, but that a Chief Adviser of American nationality might be especially desirable from the point of view of Liberia, in that his presence might promote an increase in contributions by various interested organization[s] in the United States for educational, religious and medical purposes.
The American Government is aware that there have been objections in certain quarters to an American Chief Adviser. It believes that it is of vital importance to Liberia that a plan of assistance should be established without delay. The American Government does not maintain that the Chief Adviser should be of American nationality.”
I believe a statement in the above form is more desirable than one listing what we would “endorse”. Cecil’s letter of September 27th, 1932, to Wilson69 precludes British, French or Dutch.
[Page 939]Hines will make a statement to Cecil similar to that of his principals quoted in your telegram No. 98, October 5, 6 p.m.
My telegram No. 220, October 6, 2 p.m. I should appreciate it if you would now inform Hines’ principals of the contents of Grimes’ memorandum. [Winship.]