882.51/11–845: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Liberia (Walton)
288. Please reassure Tubman, reurtels 418, 420, and 427, October 24, 25, and 30, of Department’s interest in every phase of their 5-year program as originally drawn including parts expected to be financed privately. Department desires to consider the adequacy of the whole program of development in addition to means, foreign or Liberian, for financing, whether publicly or privately, any particular item.
Without study of the plan Department cannot of course say whether any particular item appears unwise, nor can any except a general preference be expressed for private as opposed to Governmental financing.
Department reiterates views expressed in Deptel 283, November 1, 1945, that direct conversations would not be fruitful at this stage. Continue to emphasize that basic social, political, and economic reform along democratic lines is an essential condition to expanded or even continued U.S. assistance.