752.822/2
The Chargé in Liberia (Wharton) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 10.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my despatch no. 474 of June 11, 1940, concerning the Spanish-Liberian treaty negotiations, and now to report that on July 16, 1940, two Spaniards arrived in Monrovia from Fernando Po aboard the S. S. Minero.
Honorable C. L. Simpson, Liberian Secretary of State, states that these two Spaniards are Sr. Don Joaquin Fernandez Munoz who was commissioned Spanish consular agent at Monrovia by General Franco on May 8, 1940, and a Spanish physician who has offered his services to the Liberian Government. These two men were received by Secretary Simpson yesterday at the Department of State.
According to Secretary Simpson the conversation yesterday at the Department of State was of a general character only, but that the two Spaniards showed interest in obtaining authority from Liberia to use Monrovia as a port of call for Spanish planes on a West African run. Secretary Simpson said that he understands that the men will probably remain in Monrovia until November. Neither of the men can speak English and the conversation had to be carried on through an interpreter.
I called Secretary Simpson’s attention to the fact that he had informed me earlier that two Spaniards were to come here as unofficial agents of the Spanish State on a commercial mission. He replied that he was as much surprised as I that an agent of the Spanish Government had been sent and that he was cabling de Bogaerde for an explanation of the actual status of these men.
I gather that de Bogaerde fled France upon the fall of Paris and hurried to San Sebastian, and that upon his insistence was later appointed Liberian Chargé d’Affaires there by Secretary Simpson. The two Spaniards now in Monrovia are the same men referred to in my previous despatch.
In view of the fact that Spain has no relations, commercial or other, with Liberia, the arrival of the two Spaniards is causing some comment here. The French Chargé des Affaires at once conjectured that the men are interested in obtaining the right for a Spanish airline to use Monrovia, which it will be seen is correct.
According to Secretary Simpson, the Liberian Government does not need the services of the Spanish physician and that in any negotiations with these men the Liberian Government will go slowly. He added that he planned to see them again within a few days and find out more definitely the real object of their mission here.
Respectfully yours,