740.00112 European War 1939/3300: Telegram
The Minister in Liberia ( Walton ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1 p.m.]
80. Department’s No. 51, August 28, 6 [8] p.m. If practices have not been discontinued no incident has recently come to public notice.
[Page 530]American goods sent parcel post to Liberia by individuals and mail order houses are taken from outward Barber Line vessels at Freetown and held without justification for weeks. The vessels are usually detained for days and packages should be returned by sailing time. Instead, packages are held for next outward Barber Line vessel. The S. S. Zarembo arrived at Monrovia August 12 and was 9 days in Freetown. The next ship due from New York will arrive at Monrovia late in September.
The impression prevails here that British traders are selling some American goods which have been secured under lend-lease provisions and then reexported.
Liberian traders are experiencing much difficulty because of latest American Government export restrictions which, like the navicert, are adversely affecting Liberian customs receipts.