882.01/68
Memorandum by Mr. Hugh S. Cumming, Jr., of the Division of Western European Affairs
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Despite the reports which have reached us of the increasingly satisfactory conditions in Liberia there has been, during the past year or so, a series of books, news stories and statements by various persons all tending to disparage Liberia and the Liberians and to paint a gloomy picture of the Republic’s present and future. Last year Prime Minister Hertzog of South Africa suggested publicly that Liberia be delivered to Germany as a mandated territory—other suggestions to the same effect have been attributed to European sources, [Page 408] and that solution to the “Liberian problem” has been suggested in a recent book by two British journalists. This propaganda, for such it may be termed, against Liberia has naturally occasioned considerable concern among the Americo-Liberians and among friends of Liberia in the United States.
The concern felt in Liberia has been expressed by President Barclay in recent conversations with both the American Minister and the American Chargé at Monrovia. On November 26, 1936, Mr. Wharton, our Chargé at Monrovia, telegraphed that in a recent conversation “Barclay asked me formally what would be my Government’s attitude should there possibly be some foreign aggression against Liberia”. Mr. Wharton replied that he was not in a position to answer the question. The President then remarked that “he is fully cognizant of our neutrality law and policy but feels that if my Government issues statement that she would look with disfavor on any hostile act against Liberia, position of his Government would be greatly strengthened.”
While it would not seem to be desirable at this juncture to issue any public statement of our attitude towards an aggression against Liberia, it is suggested that there are two steps which we might probably take which would be of practical benefit to Liberia and would not involve us in any action contrary to our general policy to undertake no commitments on the African continent single-handed:
(1) The British declined last year to join with us in recognizing Liberia because of the unsettled Kru problem.6 In view of the recent apparently satisfactory settlement of this problem and the commendable progress which Liberia has made during the past year and a half in putting her own house in order, the Department might informally bring these facts to the attention of the British Government, possibly through the British Embassy here, and inquire what the present attitude of the British is towards recognition.
Our close cooperation with the British in Liberian matters in the past would make it not inappropriate for us to address such a friendly question to them. If by such action we can encourage the British to recognize the Barclay Government, it would, it is believed, go a long way towards strengthening Liberia’s international position and would undoubtedly further encourage Barclay to continue the constructive work he has begun. In this connection it may be noted that our Chargé at Monrovia recently reported that his British colleague had intimated to him that he favored recognition by Great Britain.
(2) During the period of friction between the Firestone interests and Liberia we quite properly refused all of Mr. Firestone’s requests [Page 409] that a cruiser be sent to Monrovia to enforce his claims against the Government. Now, however, that normal and apparently friendly relations have been established between Firestone and the Liberian Government and since there are no outstanding differences between Liberia and the United States, it is suggested that a friendly visit of an American warship to Monrovia might serve a very useful purpose for both countries.
I am told that nearly every naval vessel sent to Europe on a shakedown cruise is routed by the Azores. From the Azores to Monrovia is only four or five days steaming, so for one of our ships to continue its cruise to Monrovia would involve comparatively little additional time or expense. It is my understanding that no American naval vessel has visited Liberia since 1928.
- See note from the British Ambassador, May 20, 1935, Foreign Relations, 1935, vol. i, p. 946.↩