882.5048/53: Telegram
The Chargé in Liberia ( Wharton ) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 27—6:47 p.m.]
Supplementing my telegram of July 24, 10 p.m. I learn from Cabinet sources that the Cabinet was kept in ignorance until July 19, the Liberian President and Secretary of State keeping their own counsel. It is felt by the Cabinet to be unwise for the President and the Secretary of State to bluff by offering a Commission of Inquiry. The Cabinet is now seeking the best way out.
Reference paragraph (e) of terms of reference: The President today allowed me to hear that he had only recently learned of the shipments of laborers to the Congo.
Reference paragraph (g): Former President Arthur Barclay informed me that today he and the Secretary of State, Edwin Barclay, were discussing the question of responsibility of the state for criminal acts of its nationals. I gather from the above and from the narrow terms of reference drafted for the Commission that the Government will attempt to maintain a position of entire ignorance regarding any slave trade by Liberians which, later, may be discovered by the Commission. Furthermore, the Government will be vindicated unless the findings reveal that the Government either participated in or at least encouraged slavery.
The implicated high officials are at present trying to conceal their part in the affair.
The former French Chargé, employed now by the Firestone interests at Cape Palmas, reportedly is collecting information there and communicating continually with Tabu, Ivory Coast, but no definite information is available.