763.72119/3641
The Chargé in Liberia ( Bundy ) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received February 4, 1919.]
Diplomatic
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of a communication dated Nov. 23, 1918, received by the Legation from President Howard with reference to Liberia’s desire to be represented at the peace conference.
As reported in Legation’s cable of Dec. 5, 11 a.m., both Consul General Lyon and General Receiver Worley cabled to the President of Liberia their willingness to accept appointment as delegates to represent the Republic at the peace conference. These cables caused the President to address the note, copy of which is enclosed, to the Legation requesting it to ascertain what views the Department held with reference to the matter of Liberia’s desire to send representatives to the peace conference.
In conversation the President assured me that the Liberian Government did not wish to take any action towards selecting or appointing delegates until it had been advised definitely by the Department what to do. After making this reservation, however, the President expressed himself as willing to appoint a mixed commission composed of Americans and Liberians to represent Liberia. Such a commission as he had in mind would have not more than five members nor fewer than three. But in any case he desired that the Chairman of the commission should be a Liberian and that the majority of the members of the commission should be Liberians. Under these propositions a commission of three or four members would have one American member, and a commission of five members would have two American members.
The President also stated that it would be entirely satisfactory to Liberia for the Department to recommend for appointment the American member or members and that the Commission would be instructed to act in complete harmony with the delegates of the United States.
The President went on further to say that the proposals he was advancing were tentative and that he was disposed to await advice from the Department before doing anything.
I asked him what Liberians he thought of appointing if it should develop that the idea of Liberia sending a commission was deemed advisable. He replied that he would probably select the following men: James J. Dossen, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia; C. D. B. King, Secretary of State, and Edwin J. Barclay, Attorney [Page 250] General. … I am quite satisfied that the President, if called upon to appoint Liberian delegates to the peace conference, will choose the ablest men available.
In speaking of American members of the commission he intimated that perhaps it might be possible for an official of the State Department familiar with Liberia’s international questions to be designated for appointment as a delegate. I of course could make no expression on this suggestion, and in fact have refrained from making any statement about any phase of this matter. I have simply informed the President that I would promptly communicate his note and his views to the Department for such action as may be appropriate. It is felt that the Legation can do nothing in the premises without the Department’s specific instructions.
I have [etc.]