Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The Near East and Africa, Volume IV

740.0011 European War 1939/28096

The Chargé in Liberia (Hibbard) to the Secretary of State

No. 15

Monrovia, January 28, 1943.
[Received February 23.]

Sir: I have the honor to report that on January 27 President Roosevelt paid an official visit to Liberia.¹ He flew from Bathurst in a DC–4 plane to Roberts Field, arriving at 12:15 GMT. He was accompanied by Mr. Harry Hopkins,² Admiral McIntyre,^2a and Captain McCrea, his Naval Aide and some of the officials of the West African Command. A second plane contained bodyguards, newspaper reporters and press photographers. He was met on the field by General FitzGerald, Commanding Officer of United States Forces in Central Africa, General Hyde, a member of General FitzGerald’s staff and Chief Engineering Officer of this theater, Colonel Kirchhoff, Commanding Officer at Roberts Field, myself and a number of officers belonging to this Command. He was immediately taken to the Officers Quarters at Roberts Field for a short rest and conversation with those who had met him.

Under instructions from the President, I had invited President Barclay and Secretary of State Simpson to have luncheon with him at Roberts Field and to accompany him to the Review which followed. President Barclay arrived at the field a bit before the President’s plane landed and this brief interval was used to show him the air field and the camp which he had not previously visited. Promptly at 1 o’clock the two Presidents met in the Officers Mess for lunch which was also attended by the principal members of the President’s suite and the officers commanding in this area. During lunch President Roosevelt had an opportunity for a conversation with President Barclay.

Immediately after the luncheon President Roosevelt and President Barclay were driven to the end of the B runway of the air field where a Review was held of the various units composing this Command. Mr. George Seybold, Manager of the Firestone Plantations Company, had been invited to attend the Review and upon its termination, after President Roosevelt had bade goodbye to President Barclay and Secretary of State Simpson, Mr. Seybold accompanied him for a short tour in the Plantations. A native village constructed for Firestone laborers was inspected and the President took great interest in the explanations given him of the various steps in the production of rubber. At 3 o’clock GMT, immediately upon the return of the party to the airport, the President took off for Bathurst where he left the same evening by clipper for Brazil.^2b

The President showed great interest in all that has been accomplished at this post and expressed his enthusiastic admiration for the results. There was no hitch in the plans, the utmost secrecy having been preserved and all precautions having been taken for his comfort and protection.^2c

It is regretted that the visit was of such short duration, so much being crowded into it, that it was impossible for me to explain in greater detail the problems of our relations with Liberia, nor did I have an opportunity to hear from the President what had been said in his conversation with President Barclay. The occasion has been hailed as a most historic one by all Liberians who are enthusiastic over the honor thus paid their country by the President of their oldest friend. While maintaining his customary reserve, it was easy to detect in President Barclay’s face a thrill at being able to meet on equal terms the President of the United States and to have him in Liberia. Unquestionably, the President’s visit at this time will be interpreted as strengthening Barclay’s hand and it is for this reason particularly that I regret the current problems were not more thoroughly discussed. President Roosevelt cordially invited President Barclay to visit in the United States, and I understand that the latter is seriously considering such a trip as soon as the elections are terminated in May.

Respectfully yours,

Frederick P. Hibbard

1. On his return trip to the United States from his conference with British Prime Minister Churchill at Casablanca, January 14–24, 1943; the records of this conference will be included in a subsequent volume of Foreign Relations.
2. Special Assistant to President Roosevelt.
3. Rear Adm. Ross T. McIntire, White House physician and Surgeon General, U.S. Navy.
4. President Roosevelt flew to Natal, Brazil, on the night of January 27–28. See vol. v , section under Brazil entitled “Conference between President Roosevelt and President Vargas of Brazil at Natal.”
5. For the report on the visit of President Roosevelt to Liberia, released to the press by the White House January 28, 1943, see Department of State Bulletin, January 30, 1943, pp. 94–95.