882.796/24
The Assistant Chief of Staff (Handy) to the Assistant Secretary of State (Berle)
My Dear Mr. Berle: Reference is made to your letter of November 4th64 on the subject of the regular operation of British cargo and transport aircraft through Liberian airfields controlled by the United States. The matter has been the subject of discussion and correspondence between the War Department and R. A. F. representatives of the British Air Ministry for some time.
The War Department has interposed no objection to use of these fields by transport or cargo planes operated by the R. A. F. On the contrary, it is cognizant of the fact that at least one transport of the United States Army Air Forces has been turned over to the R. A. F. to permit operation by the R. A. F. of a Bathurst-Lagos air line which stops at Roberts Field and which is used entirely for British personnel and cargo.
The War Department has opposed the use of the subject air ports as regular stops by planes of the British Overseas Airways Corporation for the following reasons:
- a.
- Although not specifically stated in the agreement between the United States and Liberia, it was clearly understood between President Barclay of Liberia and Lt. Col. McBride, who negotiated the agreement for the United States, that no commercial service by the British, or any foreign country other than the United States, was contemplated under the terms of the agreement, and further was not desired by the Liberian Government. Hence, granting the requested permission to the BOAC would be a breach of faith on the part of the U. S. Government.
- b.
- It does not appear to the War Department that the necessary permission should be sought from the Liberian Government at this time, inasmuch as our agreement with Liberia is on a quid pro quo basis and we have not yet fully carried out our obligations thereunder.
- c.
- Considering the route followed in the service in question, it is noted that the longest non-stop flight is from Lisbon to Bathurst, a distance of 1849 miles, whereas the distance from Freetown to Takoradi is only 948 miles. By being able to land at Roberts Field, the latter flight could be reduced by 245 miles. The increase in payload affected by that reduction in distance for a modern transport aircraft is not believed to be of material consequence.
- d.
- The British have indicated that the cargo carried is necessary to the war effort. General Fitzgerald, Commanding General, U. S. Army Forces in Central Africa, (including Liberia), Lt. Col. Mc-Bride, Special Representative of the President to Liberia, and Mr. Hibbard, U. S. Chargé d’Affaires at Monrovia have all reported in connection with the British request that a British commercial service appears to be involved. Inasmuch as the service appears to be a commercial carrier, at least in part, and a schedule of once weekly is contemplated, the vital importance of this service in the war effort is not apparent.
At a meeting on November 18, attended by Representatives of the State and War Departments and the British Air Ministry, it was agreed no action would be taken in the matter for the present and that further discussions would be conducted by the State Department and the British Embassy. The War Department has no objection to having the State Department assume responsibility for the conduct of these discussions; however, it is believed that the State Department should be advised of the opinion of the War Department, as noted above.
Sincerely yours,
Major General
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