882.63A/6
The President of Liberia (Barclay) to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: Information has been available for some time regarding the existence of iron ore in the Republic of Liberia, a preliminary survey of which was made a few years ago by the United States Steel Corporation. As this company was not interested in pursuing the subject further no detailed reconnaissance appears to have been made of the deposits and no accurate knowledge exists of their extent or commercial usefulness. Such information as is available concerning occurrences of iron ore in Liberia is doubtless in the possession of the United States Geological Survey.
The Government of Liberia is desirous of having an impartial survey made of its iron ore deposits by qualified experts of the United States Geological Survey. It is believed that such a survey would contribute materially to an understanding of the economic development possibilities in Liberia and would substantially benefit the relations between Liberia and the United States.
The Government of Liberia has taken note of the provisions of the Act approved May 25, 1938,19 as amended on May 3, 1939,20 under which the temporary detail to Liberia is authorized of United States [Page 675] employees possessing special qualifications, and in view of these provisions, the Government of Liberia respectfully requests the Government of the United States to consider the feasibility of assigning three geological experts to make the technical survey indicated as being desirable.
It is believed that such a survey could be completed within a period of six months.
The Government of Liberia would obligate itself to bear a reasonable share of the expense involved in this survey, and it is suggested that this should cover such items as quarters, local travel expense within the Republic, and such labor as may be required by the technical experts.
Very sincerely yours,