882.20/578: Telegram
The Chargé in Liberia (Hibbard) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:39 p.m.]
180. My telegram 179, June 8. The Secretary of State57 asked me to call this morning immediately after his receipt of the British request for permission to establish radio pack sets at Roberts Field and Cape Palmas. He asked me what I knew about the request and I told him that Routh had informed me of his instructions but that I had received nothing from the Department. Simpson said he had told Routh that the Liberian Government could make no commitments as regards Roberts Field without the consent of the American Government and that as far as he was aware we had ample facilities there and consequently the British installation would appear to be duplication. He told me privately that his Government would much prefer not to have British radios established here. I said I would inform the Department and ask for instructions. He will wait until I have received a reply before answering the British note.
My feeling is that if we urge Liberia to grant this request it will be the forerunner of many others which will be distasteful to this Government and in the end cause friction and otherwise complicate our position here which at present is excellent.
- Clarence L. Simpson.↩