882.20/560

The President of Liberia (Barclay) to Mr. Harry A. McBride, Special Representative of President Roosevelt in Liberia8

Sir: Owing to the critical situation of Liberia because of the war, and the fact that additional protection is necessary in order to safeguard the independence and security of the Republic, the Government of the Republic of Liberia requests that the Government of the United States, because of its traditional friendly interest in the welfare of Liberia, give such aid as may be possible in the defense of the Republic, and grants to the Government of the United States in this emergency the right to construct, control, operate and defend such military and commercial airports in the Republic as in consultation with the Government of the Republic of Liberia may mutually be considered necessary; and also to assist in the protection and defense of any part of the Republic which might be liable to attack in the present circumstances. This grant includes the right to construct access roads from Monrovia to the land plane fields and the sea plane facilities at Fisherman Lake.

These rights are granted as from this date, become effective immediately and shall remain in effect for the duration of the present war and six months thereafter. A more detailed agreement embodying said rights will be entered into as soon as practicable and shall be subject to Legislative approval.

Yours faithfully,

Edwin Barclay
  1. Handed to the Assistant Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Villard) by Mr. McBride upon his return from Liberia.