740.0011 European War 1939/24616: Telegram
The Chargé in Liberia (Hibbard) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:30 p.m.]
319. From McBride. As Liberian Government has gone along with the United States in military use of airfields, in deporting Germans, and is cooperating in other ways to the best of its ability, would the Department not feel that, for the war record, some form of joint statement or declaration of aims and solidarity would be to advantage? I am sure the Liberian Government would welcome such an opportunity.
The following very rough draft is submitted as a suggestion:
“The Government of the United States being at war with the Governments of Germany, Italy and Japan, which have for years pursued a policy of ruthless aggression against the democracies of the world and particularly against small and defenseless nations, contrary to all precepts of international law and order, and
The Government of the Republic of Liberia, animated by its close ties of traditional friendship toward the United States since the original settlers came to the Liberian coast in 1822 and the founding of the Liberian Republic in 1847;
[Page 395]Do hereby jointly declare:
That, [during this period of world conflict, a spirit of strong mutual solidarity exists between the two Governments brought about by their common belief in international justice and democratic faith and]38 notwithstanding the fact that the Government of Liberia has not entered into the present world conflict, still maintaining a status of neutrality benevolent to the United Nations, the two Governments recognize and accept the responsibility for extending toward each other reciprocal assistance and defensive cooperation in so far as the aggressor nations are concerned.”
The Liberians are apprehensive that, in any settlements made by the United States during or after the war, they may not be heard. Therefore, they would probably wish that a paragraph be added to above giving some slight intimation that Liberian interests will be safeguarded. If at any time the United States feels that Liberia’s position would be improved or strengthened by a declaration of war, it is believed that Liberian Government would welcome Department’s advice at that time. [McBride.]
- Portion in brackets inadvertently omitted from telegram; correction forwarded by the Chargé in Liberia in telegram No. 323, October 3, 4 p.m. (740.0011 European War 1939/24647).↩