882.01 Foreign Control/238: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 1:15 p.m.]
166. From Reber. A memorandum of the Government of Liberia on the report of the experts has just been circulated to the Committee and contains the program for reform promised by Grimes at the last meeting.
Before presenting this program a brief historical survey of events leading up to the experts’ mission has been inserted for the purpose of justifying Liberia’s position and of criticising the report which it is claimed fails to set out the evidence upon which its conclusions were reached, goes beyond the terms of reference and appears an effort to change the whole organization of the Government rather than to aid in putting into effect reforms. Since the suggestions of the report, if adopted, would in the opinion of the Liberian Government adversely affect its independence, it feels itself unable to accept without modification the plan of the experts.
As regards the first section of the report “present position” the memorandum charges many inaccuracies exist.
With reference to the “program of assistance” the memorandum contains five subdivisions as follows:
- (1)
- The memorandum considers that the experts’ report appears to defer the improvement of the educational system which should form the basis for all reforms and improvement.
- (2)
- Interior administration. The Liberian Government differs with the experts as to the subordinate division of the administrative provinces. After listing the steps by which slavery and enforced labor have been “effectively” abolished the policy of the Liberian Government is explained as one which never proposed the withdrawal of the native populations from under the direct administration of Liberian citizens of whom there are a sufficient number to create competent administrators for that territory. The Government, however, proposes to employ a limited number of foreign assistants whose role would be that of advisers whose appointments would be made by the Liberian Government and whose duties and responsibilities and pay would likewise be fixed by Liberia. The appointment of three of these men recommended by the League and appointed by the [Page 717] President as provincial commissioners is proposed. They would be responsible to the chief executive through the Secretary of the Interior to whom their reports would be sent and copies furnished the League. The Government guarantees for a period not exceeding 5 years spontaneously to give these officials every facility and power necessary to carry on the work assigned them.
- (3)
- Financial assistance. It is admitted that one of the most pressing needs of the country is that of obtaining more money but it is claimed that the second installment of the loan if advanced would create an even heavier burden and would render the financial problem more acute. Three remedies are proposed for the improvement of the economic situation which deal with the general improvement of economic conditions and negotiations with the Finance Corporation for such modification of their agreements as will result in an amelioration of their terms and for readjustments thereof. This section is rather vague in its definite recommendations.
- (4)
- Health and sanitation. This section of the memorandum refers to the reorganization of the health and sanitation service under Dr. Fuscek 31 and to the new tax imposed to provide funds for this purpose.
- (5)
- Judiciary. The judicial system of government is considered purely a domestic problem without the terms of reference of the experts whose recommendations in this connection would violate the Liberian constitution.
In conclusion the memorandum reviews the recommendations of the Christy commission and states all have either been put into effect or provision made for them except those which manifestly did not apply.
The foreign fiscal officers of the present loan agreement will remain in the service of the Republic unless arrangements for reducing their number can be made directly between the contracting parties for the moral support of the League and in addition one director of health and sanitation, three provincial commissioners, all nominees of the League, are provided for by the present memorandum.
The full text of the memorandum is being mailed today.32 [Reber.]