882.01/76
The Minister in Liberia (Walton) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 29, 1937.]
Sir: In reference to telegrams No. 44, December 14 [15], 9 a.m. and No. 45, December 15 [16], 3 p.m.,9 respectively, relative to the resumption of normal diplomatic relations between the Government of Great Britain and the Government of Liberia, I have the honor to report that on Wednesday, December 16, 11 a.m., the British Chargé d’Affaires presented his letter of credence to the Secretary of State here.
[Here follow texts of the British letter of credence and the Liberian acknowledgment.]
Rapprochement between the two governments has occasioned general satisfaction throughout the Republic. Since recognition of the Liberian Government by the American Government in 1935, failure of the British Government to take similar action has been a source of irritation and unconcealed resentment among the Liberian people. The right (moral or otherwise) of one member of the comity of nations to withhold diplomatic recognition from another member, based primarily or solely upon the existence of a revolt against organized government by a negligible few, has been indignantly and vigorously challenged and disputed by Liberians of all walks of life. It will be noted that in presenting his credentials the British Chargé d’Affaires declared his government was motivated in resuming normal diplomatic relations because of “the recent solution of the Kru question.”
[Page 411]With the circulation in recent months of disturbing rumors emanating from Europe, and published in the European and American press, intimating that certain European powers are in a mood to petition the League of Nations for a mandate over Liberia, rapprochement between His Majesty’s Government and the Government of the Republic of Liberia has had a salutary and psychological effect in strengthening the morale of the Liberian people, who are now inclined to assume an optimistic attitude. They entertain and express the hope: (1) that Great Britain harbors no imperialistic ambitions to deprive Liberians of their political and territorial integrity; (2) that the British Government’s latest diplomatic gesture presages the position it, in all probabilities, would take if any power in or out of the League of Nations served notice or manifested a desire to carry on a campaign of aggression against the Republic of Liberia; (3) that as long as the American Government continues its traditional policy of giving the Liberian Government moral support in any whole-hearted endeavor to establish needy [needed?] reforms throughout the Republic, and the Governments of Great Britain and France maintain their present policy of friendliness and amity, there is little likelihood or danger of the sovereignty and autonomy of the Liberian people being seriously threatened.
Respectfully yours,
[For Department’s statement of December 17, 1936, regarding resumption of diplomatic relations by the United Kingdom with Liberia and regarding progress being made in Liberia, see Department of State, Press Releases, December 19, 1936, pages 529–531.]
- Latter not printed.↩