882.20/428: Telegram
The Minister in Liberia (Walton) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 11—2:15 p.m.]
77. The Liberian Government is apprehensive about what may have been agreed upon between Chamberlain and Hitler50 with respect to conflicting claims in the colonial sphere. The Liberian Government attaches importance to implications sensed in the joint declaration that other questions outstanding will be settled between them on the basis of peaceful negotiations. As Hitler obviously places great importance on the return of colonies, whether an understanding was reached or may be reached at the expense of and to the detriment of third parties is viewed here as a possibility.
Liberia’s geographical position would appear to have strategic value. Because of this, the Liberian Government does not think [Page 840] that either Great Britain or France, or both would permit the establishment between their two possessions on the West African coast of a German colony. However, recent events have suggested to Liberians that they should indulge in no sense of security on account of this fact.
The Liberian Government would like to know whether its apprehension is justified and should appreciate any advice which it may be deemed proper to give it.
- At Munich; see vol. i, pp. 657 ff.↩