811.34582/15: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Liberia (Walton)
65. Your 98, October 22, 9 p.m. You may inform President Barclay that the construction of a landing field in Liberia by Pan American [Page 540] Airways may in a sense be regarded as a substitute for the plan under consideration in June and July, the development of which is not considered necessary at the present time. The War Department is interested in the Pan American airfield to the extent that it might serve as an emergency landing field, or as a possible alternative to the use of Bathurst or Freetown in the ferrying of aircraft from the United States to the Middle East. There is, however, no present intention to use the Liberian airport for the latter purpose and if events should subsequently make such a step desirable, the Liberian Government would of course be approached with a request for the necessary permission.
Pan American Airways has been authorized to inaugurate a commercial service from Miami to Leopoldville via San Juan (Puerto Rico), Trinidad, Belem, Natal, Monrovia, and Lagos, and the current activities of the company in Liberia are directly related to that project. It is understood that both seaplane and land plane services are under consideration in this connection. If any changes occur in the situation you will be advised.