882.7962/38a
The Secretary of State to
President Roosevelt
Washington, August 28,
1942.
My Dear Mr. President: During the latter part
of January 1942 you approved, on the recommendation of the Department,
the appointment of Mr. Harry A. McBride as your special representative
to proceed to Liberia to engage in discussions on certain matters
affecting the security of that country as well as the interests of the
United States. Following Mr. McBride’s arrival in Liberia he conducted
negotiations with the Liberian Government which resulted in the signing
at Monrovia on March 31 of an agreement granting this Government various
rights in Liberia relating to the war effort.
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This Government, on its part, undertook to extend
to the Government of Liberia such aid as might be possible for the
protection of the Republic. The agreement was subsequently ratified by
the Liberian Legislature, following Mr. McBride’s return to the United
States, with, however, certain amendments which had not been submitted
to this Government for prior approval.
Difficulties have arisen with respect to these amendments and also in
connection with the execution of the understanding of this Government
that the German Consul General at Monrovia and his staff would be
requested, following the arrival of an American defense force, to leave
Liberia. President Barclay has, however, thus far declined to carry out
this understanding. The Liberian Government has also declined to accede
to our request for the establishment of censorship in Liberia.
In view of these difficulties, and taking into consideration a number of
other urgent problems relating to Liberia which we should like to have
discussed with President Barclay, I believe that it would be advisable
for you again to appoint Mr. McBride as your special representative to
proceed to Liberia as soon as possible for the purpose of conferring
with President Barclay. It should not be necessary for him to remain
more than two to four weeks. As pointed out at the time of his previous
appointment, Mr. McBride’s long familiarity with Liberian affairs and
his practical experience in that country eminently qualify him to
represent the United States in the particular discussions which the
Department has in mind.
The question of sending Mr. McBride to Liberia has been discussed
informally with officers in the War Department and the proposed
assignment meets with their approval.
It is therefore recommended that Mr. McBride be appointed as your special
representative for the purposes outlined in the attached letter
addressed to him. It has also been thought desirable that Mr. McBride
should carry a letter from you to President Barclay bespeaking the
latter’s courteous consideration of the proposals which will be offered
for the solution of the present difficulties. Such a letter is therefore
enclosed for your signature, if you approve. There is also enclosed for
your consideration and signature a letter of instructions, which it is
believed might appropriately be addressed to Mr. McBride.
Faithfully yours,
[Enclosure 1]
President Roosevelt to Mr. Harry A.
McBride
My Dear Mr. McBride: I have been informed
that certain circumstances have arisen in connection with the
fulfillment by the
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Liberian Government of various understandings reached at the time of
the negotiation of the recent security agreement between Liberia and
the United States which would seem to make it desirable for you to
return to Liberia for further discussions with President Barclay. In
particular, it has come to my attention that President Barclay is
not disposed to request the German Consul General and his staff to
leave Liberia at this time and also that he has raised certain
objections with reference to the establishment of a censorship
organization in Liberia, upon both of which questions it was thought
that there had been agreement.
In addition to these problems, there are other matters affecting the
interests of the United States in Liberia which it is thought can be
best handled through personal discussions between you and President
Barclay. These include the difficulties which are being encountered
in obtaining supplies of wild rubber from Liberia, monetary reform
in Liberia and the use of American currency, and the possible
construction of port and harbor facilities at some point on the
Liberian coast.
As stated on the occasion of my previous appointment of you as my
special representative to undertake the mission to Liberia, which
resulted in the agreement to which reference has been made, your
long familiarity with Liberian affairs and your practical experience
in that country eminently qualifies you in my opinion to represent
the United States in difficult discussions with the Government of
Liberia. I am therefore appointing you as my Special Representative
to proceed to Liberia as soon as possible to confer with President
Barclay on the matters outlined herein and such others as may be
placed before you by the Department of State.
It is hoped that the enclosed letter addressed to President Barclay,
in which I bespeak his courteous consideration of your requests,
will aid you in the accomplishment of your present mission.
Very sincerely yours,
[Enclosure 2]
President Roosevelt to the President of Liberia
(Barclay)
My Dear President Barclay: A few months
ago you very kindly received my Special Representative, Harry A.
McBride, who was sent to Liberia for the purpose of discussing with
you certain matters affecting the security of Liberia as well as the
interests of the United States. As a result of your most cordial
cooperation and of your generous consideration of the proposals
which were made to you by my representative an agreement was reached
which, as I stated to you
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in my telegram of June 27,30 was very gratifying to
me because of its having bound our two countries together in the
common purpose of resisting the forces of aggression.
Feeling that it would again be to our mutual advantage to have Mr.
McBride visit your country, I have reappointed him as my Special
Representative to convey to you my greetings and to discuss with you
upon his arrival at Monrovia such questions as may be of interest to
you with respect to the accomplishment of our common purpose.
I therefore once more bespeak your kindness in receiving my
representative and in extending to him that degree of cooperation
which characterized your relations with him on his previous visit
and which was a source of great satisfaction to me.
Very sincerely yours,
