882.20/648
The Minister in Liberia (Walton) to
the Secretary of State
No. 125
Monrovia, July 2,
1943.
[Received July 20.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the
Legation’s despatch no. 116 of June 9, 1943, file no. 820, and to report
that at the suggestion of the American Minister a conference was held
June 17, 1943, in the office of the Liberian Secretary of State between
the Commanding Officer of
[Page 667]
USAFIL, the Liberian Secretary of State and the American Minister at
which several points of mutual interest were discussed for
clarification, to wit: defense areas, collaboration between medical
services of USAFIL and those of Liberia in the adoption of health
measures in native towns a short distance from defense areas, and to
insure the effective administration of justice by the Liberian
Government and the American military in matters relating to the
commission of offenses by Liberian citizens outside defense areas.
Based chiefly on suggestions and recommendations made by the Commanding
Officer of USAFIL, the American Minister transmitted a formal note to
the Liberian Government for appropriate action relative to subjects
hereinbefore mentioned.
The Liberian Secretary of State informally made known to the American
Minister that the note was being considered and an answer would be
forthcoming in the near future.13
Copy of the American Minister’s note to the Liberian Secretary of State
is herewith attached.
Respectfully yours,
[Enclosure]
The American Minister in Liberia (Walton) to the Liberian Secretary of State (Simpson)
No. 391
Monrovia, June 28,
1943.
Excellency: I have the honor to refer to
the conference held by the Commanding Officer of USAFIL and the
American Minister with the Secretary of State, E. L., on June 17,
1943, when salient, pertinent points of mutual concern were
informally discussed, which points are now formally presented to the
Liberian Government for study and appropriate action.
Clarification as regards the boundaries of the various defense areas
over which the USAFIL have been invested with jurisdiction in
accordance with the Agreement between the Governments of the United
States of America and Liberia as of March 31, 1942 should obviate
future misunderstandings on this particular subject.
The Commanding Officer of USAFIL has been good enough to prepare two
maps which are herewith enclosed.14 One map
delineates the Roberts Field and Bassa Point defense areas and the
other map delineates the Cape Palmas defense area. No map has been
furnished of the Benson Field defense area.
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[Here follows detailed description of the Roberts Field, Bassa Point,
Cape Palmas, and Benson Field defense areas.]
To permit the supervision and guarding of the pipe line, it is
requested that there be reserved a one hundred-foot right-of-way on
the pipe line between the Little Bassa and Farmington Rivers.
As the health of the American troops is of paramount importance
greater collaboration between the medical services of USAFIL and
those of Liberia in conducting anti-malarial surveys and the
adoption of other preventive measures in areas to be agreed upon
beyond the limits of the defense areas it is thought should prove
high [highly] beneficial to all
concerned.
To insure the effective administration of justice, which is the
desire of the two Governments, it is respectfully suggested that an
understanding be reached on the following points:
- 1.
-
Liberian Citizens. The United States
has no jurisdiction over any Liberian citizen outside
defense areas and none within the defense areas except
“retainers to the camp” and those Liberian citizens
committing an offense therein. Members of this last group
may be arrested and will be turned over under guard to the
local Liberian authorities after investigation of the
alleged offense, such detention not to last more than three
days, except with the express authority of the local
Liberian authorities. Full right of search and seizure
within the defense areas as well as unqualified jurisdiction
over spies and saboteurs are obviously necessary incidents
to the protection of United States property as recognized by
customs of civilized nations and the laws of war.
- 2.
-
American Military Personnel. It is
clearly recognized that the Liberian Government has full
authority to arrest and the duty to turn over to the United
States authorities for trial and punishment American
military personnel who may commit offenses outside the
defense areas. It is believed that more effective control
will be had over soldiers outside the defense areas if the
right of the military police to arrest such military
personnel as may commit offenses against the laws of Liberia
be recognized as co-extensive with that of the Liberian
authorities.
- 3.
-
All Others. Foreign nationals, other
than spies and saboteurs, committing offenses within the
defense areas will be turned over to the Liberian
authorities if the offenses with which they are charged can
be suitably punished under Liberian law. Spies and saboteurs
must, of course, be tried before our military
tribunals.
Please accept [etc.]
