882.20/584: Telegram
The Chargé in Liberia (Hibbard) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 15—11:24 a.m.]
190. After a conference with Colonel John E. Wood, commanding officer of the American forces in Liberia, who reached Roberts Field yesterday by air from Freetown I saw President Barclay and informed him that the first vessel carrying troops and equipment would reach Marshall in the early morning of June 15. I asked him for the protection of all concerned to prohibit the sending of any messages in clear over the Liberian radio regarding troop movements and if possible to delay any code messages emanating from the German and French Legations which he agreed to do. Colonel Wood is requesting Panair and Firestone radios to use the same precaution. He will also censor the dispatches of the five American correspondents arriving with the troops.
I again urged the President to request the German Consul to leave the country. He was somewhat reluctant but after some discussion agreed to submit the question to the Cabinet on Wednesday. I believe with a little more pressure this can be satisfactorily arranged.
I also told him that in view of the arrival of an adequate protective force I felt he could submit the agreement to the Legislature for ratification. He said a session would be called this week and that he was sure ratification would be voted at once. Although with submission to the Legislature the agreement will become public he has agreed to exercise as much precaution as possible to keep the details secret.
I am arranging for surf boats to proceed from Monrovia to Marshall to assist in the unloading of the vessel but I doubt that she can be completely disCharged in less than 2 weeks.