Office of the Historian

882.7962/72: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Liberia (Wharton)

Washington, March 26, 1942—8 p.m.

70. Your 96, March 22, 2 p.m.19 For McBride: Secretary of War has now signed letter approving agreement, subject to modifications described in Department’s 68, March 25, 9 p.m. You may therefore proceed immediately to final action.

The War Department also concurs in your proposed confidential letter to President Barclay20 with the exception of items 4 and 5. It suggests the replacement of these items by the following:

  • “4. The extension of a credit in the sum of $800,000 from Lend-Lease or other United States funds for the purpose of assisting in the road construction and defense program of Liberia.
  • 5. A supply of small arms and ammunition for a force of two to three thousand men to be made available to the Liberian Government by the United States as a part of supplies to be furnished under the credit above mentioned.
  • 6. The construction by the United States of access roads to areas required by the American defense forces in Liberia.”

At the risk of repetition, it should once again be emphasized that in addition to the $800,000 mentioned in item 4, the Ferrying Command is spending $200,000 for the construction of the most important access roads. The total constitutes the so-called million dollar program of assistance to Liberia. You are authorized to amend the letter so as to make this clear if you consider it advisable.

Welles
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. See telegram No. 68, March 11, 9 a.m., from the Chargé in Liberia, p. 367.↩