882.20/482b: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Liberia (Walton)
Washington, August 8, 1939—5
p.m.
38. Department’s 31, July 22, 3 p.m.
- 1.
- You may inform President Barclay that the Colt’s Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut, is prepared to sell and to deliver immediately to the Liberian Government fully equipped machine guns at the nominal price of $200 per gun. While these guns are of Model 1914 and are not equipped with the most modern appliances, we are assured by experts of the War Department that they would be entirely satisfactory for the purpose of Liberia’s internal defense.
- 2.
- Please endeavor to ascertain what, if any, steps the Liberian Government contemplates with respect to enlarging its defensive force, including the suggested purchase of machine guns. We should be glad to have you telegraph your observations on this subject.
- 3.
- In view of the confirmation received from the Liberian Minister in London of the British assurances for the defense of Liberia, we assume that the Liberian Government would now be satisfied that the external safety of the country would be adequately secured provided a similar declaration is forthcoming on the part of the French Government. We believe that the present moment would be advantageous for the Liberian Government to take steps to obtain from the French Government assurances along the lines of those offered by the British, emphasizing the fact that such action would of course be in France’s own self-interest should hostilities threaten the Liberian coastline. The actual protective measures to be taken by the British and French Governments in the event of an emergency would, of course, be a matter for determination by them, but it would seem logical to suppose that the former would render aerial or naval aid while the latter could supply such territorial forces as might be necessary.
Welles