882.5048/32: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Liberia ( Francis )

13. Your 19, June 18, 2 p.m. Representative of Barber Line called at Department June 21 and stated that the Steamship Company would undoubtedly be glad to instruct its agents to use all reasonable diligence to avoid taking shipments of forced labor. He [Page 285] suggested that the agents might make personal inquiry of each laborer as he came on board their vessels whether he was going voluntarily or not and might also consult with you in advance regarding each shipment provided time permitted. He observed, however, that many of the shipments were perfectly legitimate and said that in view of the strong steamship competition on the West African Coast he felt that the Company should not be prevented from carrying such legitimate cargoes. He was informed that the Department had no desire to deprive American shipping of legitimate cargoes but that it was determined to invoke all practicable means to prevent shipments of forced labor from Liberia either in American ships or otherwise. The Department further suggested that the Barber Line representative in Monrovia be instructed by cable to confer with you with a view to working out some practical and effective means of distinguishing between legitimate shipments of voluntary laborers and shipments of forced labor such as those of which complaint has been made.

Please report by cable with comments and recommendations.

Stimson