882.124A/37: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Liberia ( Francis )
15. The health situation in Liberia has greatly disturbed the Department, which has discussed the problem with various interested organizations, including the United States Public Health Service. It would appear to be advisable for the Liberian Government to appoint at the earliest possible moment a competent sanitary engineer who would study the problem and devise a comprehensive plan for the avoidance of any recurrence of yellow fever. This work, it is believed, could be finished within a year. Should the Liberian Government request the Department to obtain the services of such a man, he can immediately be found and could start at an early date for Monrovia.
In order to procure a sanitary engineer with suitable qualifications, probably it would be necessary to pay him as much as $10,000, while another $5,000 would be required to pay his assistants and supplies.
In explaining this to the Liberian Government, please state the Department’s conviction that the Liberian Government will realize how important is such a health measure, which the Department understands is being recommended likewise by the British and French Governments to the Liberian Government.
For your information. The Department feels that the full expense of this measure should be met by the Liberian Government, which should meet also the expense of any permanent organization needed in order to carry on the work necessary to prevent the present situation from recurring. It has been suggested that this expense might, and should, be met from the 1926 loan’s unexpended balance. However, if it appears evident that such a course would cause serious impediment to the use of this money for other public purposes, to which commitments have already been made by the Liberian Government, you may in your discretion say that in case a request is made by the Liberian Government to the Department for a sanitary engineer the Advisory Committee on Education in Liberia will gladly contribute half of the amount required for the first year, provided the total expense is not in excess of $15,000.
The British Embassy in Washington has advised the Department of instructions sent the British Chargé in Liberia to make representations regarding the yellow fever situation to the Liberian Government, [Page 319] has invited American cooperation, and has stated that a similar course of action has been suggested to the French Government. You should consult your British and French colleagues at Monrovia and inform them of the substance of the first three paragraphs above, so that the American, British, and French Governments may be able to work harmoniously in their discussions on this matter with the Liberian Government.