811.79682/26: Telegram

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

67. Your 100 [101], November 1, 10 a.m. Recent developments indicate that in addition to the commercial purposes for which the Pan-American airport is intended, it may be necessary to use this landing field as an alternative to Bathurst or Freetown in the ferrying of aircraft from the United States to the Middle East. If the danger of an Axis attack appears imminent as a result thereof, precautions would undoubtedly be taken to insure the security of Liberia and the War Department might even desire to station defensive forces and equipment in Liberian territory for that purpose. It may also be desired eventually to use the Liberian airport as an intermediate point in the transportation of American officials, mail and personnel between points in Africa and Europe.

While permission for these operations would in due course be requested of the Liberian Government, it is believed that President Barclay should at this time be informed of the above possibilities in the strictest confidence. You are therefore authorized to bring these considerations to his attention, pointing out that such developments would automatically obtain for Liberia the protection of the United States Government during the course of the present war, the alternative to which might be a threat to the independence and integrity of Liberia.

In view of the interest which the War Department has in the speedy construction of the airport, it seems highly desirable to bring the present negotiations for the Pan-American lease to an early conclusion. Mr. Firestone has described the desire of the Liberian Government to obtain compensation for the lease, as well as the inability of Pan-American to consider rental payments because of the precedent which this would set in other cases. It appears that Pan American has offered as partial compensation to provide a local amphibian airplane service in Liberia for passengers and mail over a certain period of years, with payments of $2,000 per annum for the remaining term of the contract if the venture proves unprofitable and is withdrawn. The Department believes that such a service would result in an important advantage for Liberia by knitting the country together in accordance with modern methods of transportation, facilitating trips of Liberian officials and making medical services quickly available in emergencies. You are requested to stress the benefits of this proposal and to urge its acceptance without the conditions reported to be attached by President Barclay such as free mail carriage and guarantee of a minimum customs revenue for Pan American supplies, neither of which suggestions appears to be practicable.

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You may also state to President Barclay that the Department is giving consideration to means by which additional compensation may be made available to Liberia, possibly in the furnishing of assistance to the country’s road building program. Further details in this connection will be sent to you shortly, but in the meanwhile you should express the earnest hope of this Government that the lease negotiations will soon be concluded.

The Department is again requesting Firestone to have its representative in Liberia keep in close touch with you. All developments should be reported by the Legation by telegraph.

Hull