811.3382/9a
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Navy (Swanson)
My Dear Mr. Secretary: On June 11, 1935, following a period of nearly five years during which normal diplomatic relations between the United States and Liberia were suspended, this Government accorded recognition to the administration of President Edwin Barclay.32 Since that date relations between the two countries have been consistently amicable and Liberia has shown remarkable progress which has been publicly commented upon by President Roosevelt and the Department of State.
I am of the opinion that the present friendship between this country and Liberia, the outcome of a century of peculiarly intimate association, would be furthered by the friendly visit to Monrovia of a vessel of the United [States] Navy, and I have no reason to believe that such a visit would be other than welcome to the Liberian Government.
[Page 818]It would be appreciated, therefore, if consideration could be given to the practicability of having one of our Naval vessels visit Monrovia during the late summer or early fall of this year, and, if possible, the prolongation of the cruise of the same vessel to include a visit to Capetown, Union of South Africa. The Department’s records show that the last visit of an American warship to Monrovia was that of the U. S. S. Raleigh in January, 1929, and the last visit to Capetown that of the U. S. S. Trenton in June, 1924.
If the Navy Department should determine that favorable consideration can be given to the foregoing suggestion I shall be glad to make the necessary arrangements with the Governments concerned.
Sincerely yours,