882.635 Neep/37: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Liberia (Wharton)

2. Personal for Wharton from McBride.

1.
I am disquieted by the information in the final paragraph of the Legation’s 3, January 6, noon, indicating that Neep is proceeding with operations despite the fact that President Barclay has withheld his approval from the concession contract. These activities of Neep again raise the considerations referred to in paragraph 2 of my 26, October 26, 6 p.m.5 and discussed at length in my 35, December 3, 7 p.m.6
2.
With reference to your 5, January 19, noon,7 important American interests approached personally and entirely unofficially have shown a favorable reaction toward possibility of developing iron ore deposits in Liberia. Since these interests are naturally interested in ascertaining character and extent of deposits anything you may be able discreetly to do toward obtaining and forwarding reports and samples in the near future will tend to expedite their early decision.
3.
If these questions are raised in any conversations which you may have with President Barclay you may consider it appropriate to pass the foregoing on to him in strict confidence. [McBride.]
Hull