882.01 Foreign Control/134: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received August 15—10:05 a.m.]
100. Communication from Sottile to Secretary General, dated August 13, 1931, indicates probable position of Liberian Government when Liberian matter comes before the next meeting of Liberian Committee or before the Council. I understand that Sottile desired that his letter be published but League officials have decided to distribute it only to members of the Liberian Committee. Considering Sottile’s attitude it may be expected however that he will not keep his letter confidential.
The chief points of his communication are as follows:
- 1.
- Acceptance by Liberian Government in principle of recommendations in report of International Commission of Inquiry does not imply acceptance of report as a whole or in all details.
- 2.
- Acceptance by Liberian Government of the report in principle limited to meaning that “it recognized the desirability of certain reforms, that it accepted the principle of these recommendations as being submitted for guidance and certainly not as being imperative”.
- 3.
- Liberian Government declares “this limitative acceptance in principle refers only to improvements in social policy. AH other nonsocial questions being excluded.” The questions thus excluded are described as those having to do with the “judicial or military organization of the political or administrative divisions of the territory” and the Liberian Government “did not agree to accept any assistance, suggestions or plans for reform” respecting these matters.
- 4.
- The Liberian Government reiterates that it will undertake nothing which infringes on its sovereign rights or its Constitution and that [Page 691] all measures must be undertaken within the limits of its financial resources and only in full agreement with that Government.
- 5.
- Its acceptance in principle is confined to “technical” assistance in social, public health and financial reforms.
- 6.
- Liberian Government takes the same position respecting work and expected report of Committee of Experts.
- 7.
- Letter implies with reference to the foregoing position of the Liberian Government that the administrative member of the Committee of Experts may have exceeded his competence.
- 8.
- Letter states “In the event of failure to observe these conditions as accepted by the Council or in the event of the experts exceeding their powers, my Government reserves the power to forego the assistance offered or, alternatively, to request the Council to modify or limit the extent of that assistance”.
- 9.
- The Liberian Government renews its objection to nationals of states having territory neighboring to Liberia serving on commissions having to do with Liberia.
The two following portions of Sottile’s letter obviously refer to the United States:
- (a)
- “To interpret the mandate and powers of the experts in any other sense would be to venture on arbitrary ground, and to endeavor to frustrate the League’s work in Liberia or disturb the relations between Liberia and the League, a result which non-members of the League would be glad to see.”
- (b)
- “In the speech which I made before the Council on January 22nd last I informed the Council and the League of the singular and paradoxical conduct of a government, which, taking advantage of its financial powers, thought it had the right to impose its will on my Government and to compel it to accept and follow literally and in every detail these singular recommendations and suggestions, some of which it may be said in passing have no connection with the task and powers which my Government had conferred upon the Commission”.
Communication does not state that it was made under instructions from the Liberian Government.
Copy of letter transmitted by Secretariat direct to Reber.
Informed by American Legation, Berne, that it has telegraphed Department respecting meeting of Liberian Committee.