882.5048/50: Telegram
The Chargé in Liberia (Wharton) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 24—2:11 a.m.]
In compliance with your instructions 16, July 12, 7 p.m., my note of 22nd presented this morning 10:30. Barclay showed me copy of his note July 18th which he said was sent me this morning and which I have just now received.
Note states: (1) Government will be grateful to receive any observations or suggestions re terms of reference; (2) expenses incident to inquiry—each party represented on Commission will bear expense of its member. Does Department share this view?
Terms of reference follow:14
“The Government of Liberia with a view to the removal of all doubts with respect to the existence within the territory of the Republic of the institution of slavery as defined in the anti-slavery convention of 1926, propose to set up a Commission of Inquiry with special powers to ascertain:
- (a)
- Whether slavery as defined in the anti-slavery convention in fact exists in the Republic;
- (b)
- Whether this system is participated in or encouraged by the Government of the Republic;
- (c)
- Whether and what leading citizens of the country participate therein;
- (d)
- Whether compulsory labor for other than public purposes exists as a factor in the social or industrial economy of the state;
- (e)
- Whether shipment of contract laborers to Fernando Po under the terms of arrangement with Government of Spanish [Guinea] is associated with [assimilated to] slavery, and whether the method employed in recruiting labor carry [carries’] any compulsion;
- (f)
- Whether the labor employed on the Firestone Plantations is recruited by voluntary enlistments or is forcibly impressed for this service by the Liberian Government or by its authority;
- (g)
- Whether the Liberian Government has at any time given sanction or approval to the recruiting of labor with the aid and assistance of the Liberian frontier force.
- 2.
- The Commission shall be authorized to issue summons for witnesses and to enforce the attendance of such witnesses under the provision[s] of the law of 1926, defining the powers of a Commission of Inquiry. Copy of this law is hereto attached.
- 3.
- It is within the competence of the Commission to make to the Government of Liberia such recommendations in respect to their findings as they may deem appropriate and necessary in relation to the subject matter of their inquiry.
- 4.
- The inquiry shall be concluded within two months; findings of the Commission filed with the Liberian Secretary of State within one month thereafter”.
Law attached,15 see page 18, chapter 10, Acts of 1926.
In reply to my observation that no mention of labor for Congo, et cetera, in his note he stated [apparent omission] include such points in observations.
My confidential observations will follow immediately by cable.