882.635 Neep/18: Telegram
The Minister in Liberia (Walton) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 30—3:01 p.m.]
65. For McBride. Your telegram No. 33, November 27, 5 p.m. President and I share your apprehension. We have discussed subject on several occasions. I am transmitted [transmitting?] by December [Page 851] 12 pouch full report on the situation, which, while disturbing is not now viewed with alarm. Within last 3 months a half dozen visitors of said nationality have arrived ostensibly to paint birds, collect shark liver, hunt big game or on some other pretext to get into the hinterland. Government has just turned down request to permit establishment of bacteriology observatory in the interior. The visitor, believed to be a secret agent who brought forward this proposition, is guest of individual referred to in my telegram No. 49, October 24, 3 p.m. Soon after his arrival he was visited for over an hour by his foreign representative here. The Government has granted suspect permission only to visit Firestone plantations and Lutheran Mission. I am asked to assure you that forestry and all such proposals will receive unfavorable consideration.
President thinks amendment, which provides that 60% of the Neep stock shall always be in control of nationals of the Netherlands or Liberians is adequate to safeguard Liberian interests.