882.001/55: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Liberia (Reber)
110. Your telegrams No. 171 and No. 172. Unless you have already received an official communication informing you of a change in Government you should address a note to Mr. Edwin Barclay, Secretary of State, stating that your Government, which is considering the course of its future relations with the Republic of Liberia, desires to be officially informed upon the following points:
- 1.
- Did the Vice President resign prior to the resignation of the President? To whom was the resignation of the Vice President addressed and when and by whom was it accepted?
- 2.
- Prior to his own resignation, did President King call a national election to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the Vice President, as provided for by amendment of May 1907 to Article 3, section 2 of the Constitution?
- 3.
- To whom was the resignation of President King addressed and when and by whom was it accepted?
- 4.
- Was a law passed by the legislature naming a successor to President King? If so, did it establish his successor as provisional President or as Acting President? By whom was such a law signed in order to become effective?
- 5.
- What steps have been taken or are contemplated to provide for the election of a new President as provided for by Section 971 Revised Statutes?
Should you have been informed officially of a change of Government, you should, without acknowledging or making reference to such communication, request any information not already covered. In this connection you should address the official who is acting as the Secretary of State, addressing him by name but not by title. If no such official appears to have been named, you may address “Mr. Edwin Barclay” without title.