882.20/451
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy)
My Dear Mr. Ambassador: In reference to your telegram no. 690 of May 16, 5 p.m., Ambassador Bullitt has forwarded to us a copy of a despatch prepared by the Liberian Minister in Paris after a conversation with the French Minister of Colonies, which indicates that the French Government is pressing for Liberia’s acceptance of a proposal to garrison that country with a battalion of French African troops pending the establishment of a native army of at least 5000 men to be trained by French officers. Since it has been our understanding that discussions for the defense of Liberia were entered into by the Liberian Government simultaneously, although separately, with the British as well as the French representative in Monrovia, we have been rather surprised to note in this connection that the Minister of Colonies told the Liberian Minister that he had no information concerning the attitude of Great Britain and had had no contacts with the British authorities in his study of the problem of defensive assistance for Liberia.
The French plans for assistance, of which you are aware through the Department’s instructions no. 663 of April 24 and no. 741 of May 26,29 appear to us so inimical to the best interests of Liberia and so at variance with the conclusions reached by our War and Navy Departments as to the most practicable means of insuring Liberia’s [Page 595] safety that we have instructed Ambassador Bullitt to endeavor to persuade the French authorities to withdraw their proposals in favor of some sort of understanding with Great Britain for the joint protection of the Liberian coastline. You will be fully informed on our action in this respect after receiving copies of the Department’s telegrams to Paris no. 402 of June 5, 7 p.m.,30 and one going forward at the same time as this letter, as well as a copy of the Liberian Minister’s despatch, all of which we have requested the Embassy to transmit to you.
Your telegram of May 16 suggests that the British would scarcely consider the far-reaching French proposals necessary for the defense of Liberia and that the British view as to what is advisable probably coincide more nearly with our own. As made clear in the telegrams being repeated to you, we are persuaded that the safety of Liberia could be adequately secured at the present time by a moderate increase in the strength of the Frontier Force and by an undertaking on the part of the British and French Governments to come to Liberia’s aid in the event of hostilities. We are, therefore, hopeful that the British and French authorities will eventually come to some sort of understanding on this subject, with a view to assuring the Liberian Government, either formally or informally, that they would be prepared to render to Liberia whatever assistance might be considered necessary or feasible in time of need. It is of course obvious in this connection that in protecting Liberia, Great Britain would be defending her own vital interests in West Africa as well.
I am taking the opportunity of supplying you with the foregoing background information because of the fact that this question is regarded as one of some importance in this country, particularly in view of our large Negro population, whose interest in the destiny of Liberia is well-known. We should, therefore, be appreciative of any word you may be able to send us from time to time in regard to British intentions in the matter.
Sincerely yours,