882.515/34: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Liberia ( Wharton )
36. Legation’s 77, September 25, 1939.73 For McBride.74 We should be glad to receive urgently at this time your views and recommendations with respect to the currency problem in Liberia.
As you will realize, the appearance of American forces in Liberia will immediately present an important commissary and paymaster problem. The War Department has expressed a desire to introduce, if possible, American currency for local expenditures and salary payments, and the various aspects of this question are now being studied by officials of the War and Treasury Departments and Firestone. We should particularly like to know whether this might furnish a suitable opportunity to open discussions with the Liberian Government on the general question of monetary reform but, owing to the need for secrecy, any approach to the military phase of the problem should be handled in the strictest confidence.