811.34582/15: Telegram

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

98. Secretary Simpson18 has confided that President Barclay is at a loss to understand why, if published reports also rumors emanating from Firestone Plantations are authentic, our Government has not directly informed the Liberian Government that Pan American Airways base is constructed at the instance of the United States to facilitate ferrying planes to Middle East.

President Barclay is telling legislators that from personal knowledge he cannot state authoritatively whether base is for commercial or military purposes as only information received is from general manager of Firestone Plantations.

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On several occasions the President has inquired whether base is in any way related to June and July conversations. I could not give definite reply as anything I might say would be conjectural. This Legation has received no official advices regarding Pan American Airways varied activities in Liberia.

Walton
  1. Clarence L. Simpson, Liberian Secretary of State.