882.20/437
The Minister in Liberia (Walton) to the Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Murray)
Dear Mr. Murray: I am writing with a view to clarifying several points raised in the Department’s first telegram of March 25.8
(1) In paragraph one of my telegram of March 20, I sought to explain that what Secretary Simpson referred to in aide-mémoire was not a formal statement made to me by the Liberian Government. In an informal conversation with President Barclay he offered a suggestion and asked that I convey same to my Government. Following this informal talk at the Executive Mansion I returned to the Legation, put down in essence what were President Barclay’s views and transmitted same for authentication. In reply he sent me a personal note agreeing substantially with what I had written and asking me to implement one or two other suggestions in my telegram. It was as a result of these informal talks and exchange of personal letters that I transmitted telegram of October 11.
All formal communications exchanged between this Legation and the Liberian Government I have transmitted to the Department. As you know, in numerous instances I have acted as intermediary in which either I have been asked by someone in the Department to discuss informally with President Barclay a matter of mutual concern or vice versa.
(2) In reply to my telegram of October 11, expressing the Liberian Government’s apprehension, the Department transmitted telegram of October 15, advising the Liberian Government that it could give no specific information but would inform the Liberian Government should any developments occur. This, I presume, was the basis of the Liberian Government’s assumption that assurance was received that [Page 564] no justification existed for apprehension at that time; however, if there was future cause for apprehension the Department accordingly would advise the Liberian Government.
(3) The text of the penultimate paragraph of the Department’s telegram of November 11, was interpreted by the Liberian Government as clearly and emphatically expressing the United States Government’s attitude. It was, therefore, a source of much surprise when the sentiments in the Department’s first telegram of March 25 were made known. President Barclay bluntly asked me if I thought Secretary Hull had knowledge of the telegram before it was transmitted and also wanted to know if my Government had suddenly changed its policy.
I have been given to understand that the text of the penultimate paragraph herein referred to was the reason for the desire of the Liberian Government that the United States Government act as intermediary and initiate the negotiations.
I hope this communication will give a clearer insight on the situation.
With kindest regards,
Sincerely yours,