882.20/473: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 30—5:30 p.m.]
1233. Your 472, June 28, 6 p.m. I discussed this question informally with Léger today. He stated that the French Government had made no proposals to the Liberian Government except in accordance with the requests of the representative of the Liberian Government and that the French Government had not the slightest desire to send troops to Liberia. He added that he will be glad to receive from me any suggestions our Government might wish to make with regard to the best ways and means to prevent a German landing on the coast of Liberia from either a submarine or a cruiser and at the same time leave intact the excellent financial position of Liberia.
The Liberian Minister called on me at his request yesterday and showed me an instruction from his Government dated May 17th in which it was stated that you had instructed me and Kennedy to discuss this question with the French and British Governments. The Liberian Minister added that he was about to leave Paris for a stay of 2 or 3 weeks in Norway and he would be greatly obliged if I would handle this question for him during his absence.
I should appreciate instructions.