882.20/636

The Liberian Secretary of State (Simpson) to Mr. Harry A. McBride, Special Representative of President Roosevelt in Liberia

Dear Colonel McBride: I have the honour to inform you that an exchange of notes has been effected between the American Chargé d’Affaires and myself in the following sense:

6th October, 1942.

“Mr. Chargé d’Affaires,

I have the honour to refer to the Agreement concluded between our respective Governments dated 31st March, 1942, governing military use of airports and defense areas in Liberia and to inform you that my Government notes the acceptance of your Government of the construction placed upon Article Two 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.

Be please[d] to accept, Mr. Chargé d’Affaires, the renewed assurances of my high consideration.”

The Liberian Government desire to make it definitely clear that in no case should paragraph One of Article Two of the Agreement be rescinded or modified in respect of Liberian citizens committing any offense in the defense areas, and I should very much appreciate it if you would bring this point of view to the attention of your Government.

Yours faithfully,

C. L. Simpson