882.01 Foreign Control/702a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Liberia (Werlich)
50. In due course we think you should call formally on Barclay and leave a written statement substantially as follows:85
“Through its special representative on the Council Committee the American Government closely followed the negotiations which took place at Geneva last month in connection with the Liberian request for the assistance of the League of Nations. The Liberian Government is reminded that this request has now been under consideration for nearly [Page 963] three years, that every phase of the situation has been examined by impartial experts, and that prolonged and sympathetic consideration has been given to all the Liberian views.
“The American Government regards the Plan of Assistance as adopted by the Council Committee and as endorsed to Liberia by the Council on October 14, 1933, as fair and practical. It considers that the Plan contains ample safeguards for Liberia and that it will lead to a solution of Liberia’s problems.
“The American Government is confident that the Plan of Assistance will be accepted by the Government of Liberia.”
You will choose the appropriate time to deliver the foregoing and you may make use orally of the pertinent statements contained in the Department’s No. 48,86 forwarded on October 19 by General Winship, including his comments.87 You may also refer to the fact that the preamble states that “the Plan is intended to insure the political independence of the Republic of Liberia,” together with Lord Cecil’s comment on this in the minutes of the Council meeting on October 14, as well as to the fact that Madariaga also urged acceptance just prior to the unanimous adoption of the Plan by all members of the Council other than Liberia.
Please report on the general attitude of the Legislature and the local feeling with respect to the Plan, together with your opinion of Barclay’s probable position.