740.0011 European War 1939/24511: Telegram
The Chargé in Liberia (Hibbard) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 26—2:09 p.m.]
308. From McBride. At request of President Barclay I conferred with Secretary of State Simpson this morning on question of German Consul and his two assistants and on exchange of notes to conclude our agreement.
[Page 393]As to Germans I had already explained our position in previous talks with Barclay. He confirmed his promise to have them leave the country as soon as a protective force had arrived but said that so far as he had been informed there were only some labor companies here. Colonel Upston told him that this was not the case, that the troops here were combat engineer companies capable of defensive action equipped with anti-aircraft and other gun power, and that complete defense force would soon arrive. As Liberians have not been kept officially informed of our progress in defense installations, Colonel Upston through General Fitzgerald is arranging to take President Barclay and Secretary Simpson on a tour of the Roberts Field area if they so desire.
In my talk with Simpson I repeated our desire that the Germans leave Liberia. He has conferred with Barclay and indicated that as we feel a protective force has already arrived they are willing to submit matter to other Cabinet officers immediately. His idea on procedure is (1) not to declare war (2) to call German Consul to his office and invite him to leave with his staff. If Consul demands this in writing he may tell him that there will be no correspondence on the subject (3) to suggest to Consul that he may turn over German interests and stores to Vichy French representative or appoint a committee of three Liberian citizens as custodians under power of attorney.
He asked me if I felt this a propitious time for Liberia to take this action in view of Liberian fear of retaliation and I told him I thought it was. He asked if we would like to have action taken while I was still here or after I left. I said my presence one way or the other did not matter, but I hoped action could be taken within 2 weeks. My idea is that Germans should be out of here before further forces are sent. Simpson said that they would discuss the matter with Cabinet and let me have decision shortly.
As to exchange of notes I feel strongly this matter is important and urgent and should be settled with expedition. Present status and validity of entire agreement is in doubt because this point has not been concluded. I do not think we should be in the position of operating here under an agreement about which there is this doubt.
Liberian Government’s position is set forth in Legation’s 241, July 24, 3 p.m.37 I believe, however, that they would agree to exchange of notes as proposed in Department’s 178, July 11, 10 p.m., if wording were as follows:
“I have the honor to refer to the agreement governing military use of airports in defense areas in Liberia and to inform Your Excellency that my Government accepts the construction placed upon [Page 394] article II by the Joint Resolution of June 20, 1942, of the Liberian Legislature, it being understood, however, that nothing contained in this article shall be deemed to deprive the Government of the United States of its right under general international law to take measures to secure the safety of its own forces and their installations.”
This eliminates the words following the word “installations” in the original proposal. I believe this will fully protect our interests in any eventuality that could possibly occur here and will also meet the Liberian objection to wording which they consider to be a direct infringement of their sovereignty.
Hibbard and I will be grateful if Department will expedite reply on this point. [McBride.]
- Not printed.↩