740.0011 European War 1939/22326: Telegram
The Chargé in Liberia (Hibbard) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 19—3:12 p.m.]
198. The Secretary of State called on me this morning and gave me the following statement which had been left with him by the [Page 381] German Consul yesterday morning at 9:30. The Consul stated it was a translation of a telegram received from his Government on June 16.
“The German Government has obtained (information) that the Liberian Government has consented to the taking over of the air bases in Liberia by American Armed Forces and further has submitted to the presence of American troop units in Liberia.
The German Government is disappointed that the Liberian Government acquiesces in this American pretentiousness and permits a violation of the Liberian neutrality.
The German Government protest against such violation of neutrality with the reservation to hold responsible the Liberian Government for each and every disadvantage and damage which possibly result from such breach of neutrality with regard to German nationals, their property, their rights and their interests.”
The Secretary further informed me that the President had sent to the Legislature at 10 o’clock this morning his message to which was appended the agreement for ratification. The agreement was referred to a joint committee which will probably not report before next Wednesday and ratification will be voted by the end of next week. The President stated in his message that while he did not wish to limit debate he hoped there would be no undue delay. Adjournment has been set for June 30.
I asked the Secretary what action had been taken at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting regarding the departure of the German Consul.27 He said the entire time had been taken up with the revision of the President’s message but when I expressed my disappointment in view of the President’s statement to me that the matter would be discussed he assured me that I might consider it a fait accompli (his term) since he was seeing the President again tomorrow and would thereafter call in the Consul to request him to leave.
I asked him what reply he had made to the German statement quoted above. He said he told the Consul that the Liberian Government would take note of the message and that an appropriate reply would be made at a later date.
He then requested me to inform you, that in the opinion of the Liberian Government it would be advisable to station a protective force of light bombers temporarily at Roberts Field for the following reasons:
- (1)
- The agreement has now been made public.
- (2)
- The German Consul is being asked to leave the country.
- (3)
- In case Germany desired to take forceful reprisal for these two acts the collaborationist attitude of the neighboring Vichy French Colonies would make it possible for her to do so before the American force was adequately installed.
The Mormacsun arrived at Marshall on June 16 and due to continuous heavy rains and poor visibility is anchored four miles out. Firestone lighterage equipment which was counted on for discharging the vessel is temporarily out of order so that only three lighters are now working the ship. I had contracted for 10 native surf boats averaging about 6 tons each to assist but due to the weather conditions they have not been able to reach Marshall. The bar is particularly treacherous now and even if the ship can be moved in another 2 miles it will be impossible to disChargé her in less than 3 weeks and probably a longer time will be required. A second vessel which should have been here a week ago is scheduled for tomorrow and another at the end of the week. The heavy weather will also delay the erection of barracks and the installation of other equipment. Under these circumstances I strongly urge that at least three bombers be sent to Roberts Field for temporary duty in protecting these ships and our other installations until the defense force has been properly set up. I feel that we should not rely upon the British alone who are fully occupied elsewhere.