Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1920, Volume III

882.51/1200

The Liberian Consul General at Baltimore (Lyon) to the Secretary of State

Baltimore, October 30, 1920.

Sir: I am instructed by my Government, to respectfully submit for your careful consideration, certain perplexing conditions which have grown out of the Loan proposition, as it appears in its present form.

I am instructed also, to assure you of my Government’s sincere appreciation of the deep interest, which the Government of the United States, at all times has manifested in the welfare of Liberia and its peoples. And in order that there should be no obstacle in the way of the continuance of that interest in the future, my Government covets sincerely the privilege of a conference, through a duly appointed Commission, authorized by the Legislature of Liberia, to discuss further with you any misunderstanding which might have arisen in the interpretation of the Loan proposal, calculated to interfere with the good feeling and comity which have always existed between the two Governments, and also to suggest certain amendments which will harmonize with the spirit of the Constitution of Liberia.

Immediately upon the submission of the “Proposed Plan for the rehabilitation of Liberia”,²⁹ on the 15th of June ultimo, a Special Session of the Legislature was convened, by the President, on the 19th of July following. After due deliberation, the Legislature reached the conclusion, that the scheme as proposed, in its present form, violated the Constitution of Liberia and was out of harmony with the wishes of the people of the country.

The Legislature, being of the opinion that the wishes of Liberia had not received the consideration which they deserved and believing that these desires had been misinterpreted to the State Department, by its Financial Agent, it passed a resolution authorizing the President of Liberia to continue the negotiations with the Washington State Department, by means of a Special Commission.

It appeared, however, that before the Legislature had come to a decision on the question pending, the Legation had taken steps, by strange methods, to force the acceptance of the Plan. It sent a despatch dated August 14th (Copy of which is hereunto attached)³⁰ to the Government of Liberia, by which it was practically advised that no amendments would be accepted by the Government of the United States and further threatened that if Liberia did not accept the advice and warnings of the Washington State Department, the Government of the United States would remove its objections to the establishment of a mandate over Liberia.

The knowledge of the contents of this cable, having been given out to the public and by all indications, even before the Government of Liberia had been apprised of its contents, created a feeling of resentment and distrust, which threatened to interfere seriously with the benevolent and helpful purpose of the United States Government.

The Legation further attempted to array the Vice-President against the President of the Republic and to use political methods in forcing the acceptance of a plan in which the future of Liberia and its peoples was involved.

Conditions in Liberia, by reason of these and other unfortunate happenings, together with the attitude of the Financial Adviser, have produced a situation, unpleasant in the highest degree. Many of the American Officers, who were loaned to the Liberian Government, the Department is aware, have returned to America, displeased and dissatisfied—not with the Liberian Government and people—but with conditions as obtained under the present management.

It is evident that there is a lack of confidence between the Legation and the Government of Liberia, herein indicated. For these reasons, I am instructed to ask, the Honorable Secretary, to receive the Special Commission, authorized by the Legislature, to continue the negotiations for the purpose of removing the misunderstandings, in order to harmonize the Plan with the wishes of the Liberian Government and people, so as to make it acceptable, as a practical scheme under which positive benefits would accrue to the country. Liberia cherishes the hope that a satisfactory understanding will be reached thru the good offices of Your Excellency, that the affairs of the Republic may again assume its normal status.

With distinguished consideration and respect for your great office.

I have [etc.]

Ernest Lyon

29. Ante, p. 55.
30. Not found in the Department files; see telegram no. 38, Aug. 2, 1920, to the Chargé in Liberia, p. 84, and despatch no. 103, Aug. 25, 1920, from the Chargé, p. 88.