Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1939, The Far East; The Near East and Africa, Volume IV

882.20/452: Telegram

The Minister in Liberia ( Walton ) to the Secretary of State

Monrovia , May 17, 1939—9 p.m.
[Received May 18—4:20 p.m.]

32. Department’s 17, May 12, 3 p.m. During a lengthy conversation with President Barclay on internal affairs, he expressed keen disappointment over the position taken by my Government in the Department’s telegram No. 8, March 25, 1 p.m. which he considers a reversal of my Government’s policy as previously enunciated. He particularly refers to Department’s 57, November 11, 3 a.m. [p.m.]²¹ stressing penultimate paragraph.

President Barclay describes Liberia’s position as extremely delicate; that the Republic is small and defenseless and has had only the assurance of moral support from the United States in these times of aggression and imminence of a world war; that as in the World War Liberia would be requested to become allied with the democracies, and that despite Liberia’s grave apprehensions it had refrained from forming an alliance with European powers in view of such considerations as penultimate paragraph referred to above.

I told President Barclay it was my impression that my Government looked with favor on Liberia receiving external assistance from Great Britain and France, but I was not quite sure of its stand on other powers’ internal defense. According to President Barclay France’s first proposal was to station a battalion of French troops in Liberia, which was declared unacceptable. As a compromise, Liberia suggested that French non-commissioned officers train Liberian soldiers.

The opinion was expressed by me that Liberia showed undue haste in giving France assurances relative to internal defensive cooperation, and that that subject could have been left in abeyance until Liberia carefully weighed economic potentialities for increasing its frontier force and also obtained the considered opinion of my Government and American manufacturers directly concerned.

President Barclay concluded conversation by stating he has always been willing to consult and is still desirous of ascertaining the views of my Government and to follow suggestions on all questions in the international field when there is no cause for embarrassment to my Government; but recent communications from the Legation have left his Government puzzled as to how far, if in any degree, my Government would care to be involved in questions affecting Liberia growing out of the present world tension.

Texts of the French and Liberian aide-mémoire are herewith transmitted:²²

“The Chargé d’Affaires of the French Republic in the Republic of Liberia has brought to the attention of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Paris the proposals of the Government at Monrovia designed to assure to Liberia the protection of France and Great Britain in the event that Liberia were attacked by a hostile power.

“The Government of the French Republic, desirous in the present circumstances of responding as quickly as possible to the request of the Government of Liberia, has decided to establish without delay direct relations with that Government. To that end, Governor Chazelas who was on his way to Dakar, accompanied by Artillery Captain Lefebvre, Staff officer of the forces in French West Africa, has been sent to Monrovia.

“The position of the French Government is as follows: Owing to the geographic positions occupied by the Republic of Liberia and by Tropical French Africa respectively, Liberian interests and French interests are closely joined: the seizure of all or a part of the coast of Liberia by a hostile power would have the most serious consequences for the freedom of communications by sea between the various provinces of French Africa.

“On the other hand, it is incontestable that Liberia, which is rich in rubber, in minerals, wood, and many other products, is coveted by countries who wish to augment their war potential at any price, but do not have at their disposal the regular means of purchase in the countries which are producing the raw materials which they lack.

“Cooperation between Liberia and France is imposed by these facts.

“This cooperation ought to be based on the principles of equality of rights and of obligations between two sovereign states. The international position of France is characterized by the absence of all racial prejudice and by respect for the independence of small nations.

“The French Republic, owing to the position which it holds in Africa, is able to give Liberia the benefit of French experience, as also the assistance of French technicians, and of French military forces.

“The section of the French staff in Paris which is responsible for questions of African defense, considers that in addition to a maritime and aerial defense, which are extremely useful, but cannot be decisive, a land defense is indispensable.

“Because of the length and the complexity of Liberia’s coasts, the possibility of a landing of troops by a hostile power is not to be ignored.

“It is necessary, therefore, to face the possibility of some action by the nationals of hostile powers established in the country, who might attempt a sudden attack, with the cooperation of mercenaries in their pay, and assisted by landing forces sent by their government, with the help of arms secretly imported.

“In order to avert this menace, the French staff deems it indispensable that the Liberian Government make an effort to secure its land defenses. The raising of an effective force of 5,000 men seems necessary; if that effort is decided upon, then, in order to meet any peril while waiting for the Liberian troops to be recruited and trained, and in order to take part in such instruction, the French Republic is prepared to place immediately a battalion of African troops at the disposal of the Liberian Republic. In fact, the present situation might require quick action.

“Governor Chazelas and Captain Lefebvre are ready to study the means of carrying out these technical measures, if the Liberian Government gives them its approval.

“If for reasons of a political, economic, financial, or diplomatic nature the Liberian Government perceives difficulties in the prompt adoption of these measures, which are urgently required for the efficacy of defense and the decisive success of Franco-Liberian cooperation, but which are viewed solely on the technical military plane, it goes without saying that counter-proposals would be welcome.”

“With reference to the aide-mémoire submitted on the 8th instant, by the French Chargé d’Affaires, to the Government of the Republic of Liberia having regard to Great Britain and France giving Liberia aerial and naval assistance in the event the territory of the latter country is attacked by an adverse power, the Secretary of State of Liberia has been authorized by his Government to make the following observations:

1. The Liberian Government is fully convinced that owing to its geographical and strategical position in relation to the British and French West African colonies of Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast its territory might in the event of war offer an attractive point of entrance for attack by an unfriendly power against either or both of the said possessions, or Liberia itself might be victim of aggression.

2. It would therefore appear desirable that Liberia, in its own interests as an independent state, should make adequate arrangements to defend itself against a possible attack and meanwhile correlate its defenses with those of the two governments whose frontier[s] march with our own.

3. The Liberian Government is, however, much gratified at the proffered assistance which the French Government has envisaged in its aide-mémoire mentioned in paragraph 1 hereof, and hereby accepts same in principle, subject nevertheless to such assistance which the British Government may also decide to give in the premises and whose reply to the Liberian Government’s suggestion for assistance may be forthcoming at the earliest possible date.

4. The Liberian Government notes the suggestion of the French Government with respect to the recruiting and training of 5,000 men (Liberians) to be utilized as a territorial defence force and it hereby undertakes to give immediate effect to said suggestion as its resources will permit with the assistance at the moment of 12 French noncommissioned officers, preferably colored trained cadres, the length of whose services to be determined by agreement between the French and Liberian Governments.

5. In the light of the discussion held at the Department of State on yesterday between French and Liberian officials, the Liberian Government should be infinitely obliged if the French Government would be good enough as to consider the possibility of placing at its disposal certain arms and ammunitions which are specified in its statement submitted to Governor Chazelas on yesterday; the terms upon which same is to be furnished to be decided upon by agreement between the two Governments.

6. The Liberian Government also welcomes the suggestion made on yesterday by French officials that at as early a date as can be made practicable either one or two Liberian military officers be detailed to proceed to Dakar for the purpose of conferring with the military authorities thereat in regard to such further defensive measures as may be urgently necessary for assistance to Liberia in the event of aggression.

7. The American Government will be kept fully informed of these discussions and of such arrangements as may ultimately be decided upon between the British, French, and Liberian Governments.”

Walton

21. Ibid., p. 841.
22. A revised translation of the French aide-mémoire of May 8, 1939, is here substituted for the one transmitted in this telegram.