882.51/1102
The Minister in Liberia (Johnson) to
the Secretary of State
Monrovia, March 17,
1920.
[Received April 23.]
No. 63
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith copy
of a letter dated Feb. 25, 1920, from the Financial Adviser to the
Legation urging that the loan credit to Liberia be made available as
soon as possible and giving several reasons why further delay would make
the local situation more difficult.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure]
The General Receiver and Financial Adviser to
the Republic of Liberia (Worley) to
the Chargé in Liberia (Bundy)
[Monrovia,] February 25,
1920.
Sir: Referring to my letter of January 28,
I beg to suggest the advisability of making inquiry of the State
Department as to the probable date when the American program and
Financial Plan may be expected. Mr. Miller has a very indefinite, if
any, status and I am very anxious to clarify the matter as it seems
necessary that he should be commissioned and go down the coast to
Bassa and Cape Palmas from where I hear very unfavorable
reports.
The Loan-credit was established nearly a year and a half ago and I
need not point out that had the money become immediately available
Liberia was prepared to enter into any reasonable program or
financial plan. Since that time there has been so much
misrepresentation and intrigue by individuals and interested
Governments that a ready acceptance of any financial program or plan
is very doubtful. Every week’s delay makes the situation even more
doubtful.
In the meantime the revenues of Liberia available for the maintenance
of Government have so increased that it is possible to maintain the
Government on half salary without any additional financial
assistance.
Recently Very persistent rumors have been in circulation of loans
offered to the Government of Liberia by France, Great Britain and
Spain with little or no financial control. Manifestly, these offers
are made for the purpose of discrediting the American Loan-credit.
The terms of these loans are only stated in a general way but are
quite liberal. It is rumored that the Spanish loan would be made
with German money. If France and Great Britain should make the loan
they would probably have to do so with borrowed money.
[Page 53]
When I left Washington the Financial Plan was practically completed,
except some amendments, which I understood would take a very short
time.
I have [etc.]
