882.20/440: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Liberia (Walton)
15. Your 21, April 12, 5 p.m. The situation in respect to the availability of arms and ammunition for purchase by the Liberian Government has not changed since the Department’s written instruction No. 79 of April 27, 1938.9 War and Navy Departments have not available any surplus arms and ammunition of the character which it is believed the Liberian Government would wish to procure, and there is no authority under law for sale or disposal by War or Navy Departments of arms and ammunition which are not surplus. It is suggested that should the Liberian Government desire to place an order in the United States for supplies of this type, the matter might appropriately be taken up with private manufacturers through the Liberian Consul General in New York.
Taking into account the existence of the Liberian Frontier Force and the presence of the American Military Adviser, the Department would appreciate an air mail report from you as to the grounds on which Firestone officials base their fear that German nationals would be able to take over the Government radio station and lighthouse in the event of hostilities.
- Not printed.↩