Fleet. If any such act did take place the two Governments concerned have decided to let the matter drop and both have issued official statements denying flatly the alleged facts. The only other recent event of importance concerning neutrality has been the escape of some officers and men of the German auxiliary cruiser Cap Trafalgar who had been interned on Martin Gracia Island (see despatch No. 356, of September 30, 1914).1 The representatives of the Allies have vigorously protested and the guard on the island has been doubled. GEORGE LORILLARD I have [etc.] OBSERVANCE OF NEUTRALITY BY LIBERIA File No. 763.72111W74 The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State No. 394] AMERICAN EMBASSY, SIR: The Liberian Minister, Mr. J. P. Crommelin, called on me yesterday and wished to know if I would transmit to my Government a statement of the danger that Liberia might possibly be placed in, in case of war in Europe, by reason of the French and German cable stations which are situated on Liberian territory. The Minister fears, of course, that one or both these Governments might send men-of-war there to protect these cable stations, and the Liberian Government has a certain fear lest the presence of these warships might be used to Liberia's disadvantage. I therefore transmit herewith a copy of a letter that the Liberian Minister has written me clearly stating the case. I have [etc.] [Enclosure] WALTER HINES PAGE The Liberian Minister in Great Britain (Orommelin) to the American Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) LIBERIAN LEGATION, YOUR EXCELLENCY: Referring to the interview your excellency was good enough to grant me this morning, I have the honor to submit to your excellency the points on which the Liberian Government are anxious to have advice and help from the Government of the United States. There is in Monrovia a cable station of the German-South American Cable Company as well as a cable station of the French Société des Câbles Sud Americains, and in the event of a war breaking out in which these powers should take part, the Liberian Government are anxious not to be in any way involved in it. If the United States Government would once more give their good offices by requesting of the powers not to interfere in Liberia, the Liberian Government would be extremely grateful. I am instructed by the Secretary of State of Liberia, Mr. King, who is now in London, to beg of your excellency to draw the attention of the United States Government to these facts, even in case peace was maintained, as it is considered most important that the Liberian Government should know how to act at any other time. I avail [etc.] 1Ante, p. 682. J. P. CROMMELIN The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)1 [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 7, 1914, 8 p. m. Say to Foreign Office that Government of United States is deeply interested in welfare of Republic of Liberia for historical and philanthropical reasons and feels confident that the neutrality of the Republic will be respected by the Government of Great Britain but would like to give to the Government of Liberia the official assurance of the British Government to that effect. Similar telegrams have been sent to Paris and Berlin. BRYAN The Secretary of State to the Minister in Liberia (Buckner) [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 7, 1914. Strongly recommend to Liberian Government that President issue neutrality proclamation at once if he has not already done so.2 Department has asked British, French, and German Governments to give assurance that neutrality of Liberia will be respected. BRYAN File No. 763.72111W74/1 The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] Berlin, August 8, 1914. German Government will observe neutrality of Liberia. GERARD File No. 763.72111W74/2 The Ambassador in France (Herrick) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] Paris, undated. [Received August 11, 1914, 4 p. m.] French Government agrees respect neutrality Liberia. HERRICK 1 The same, mutatis mutandis, to the Ambassadors in France and Germany. The proclamation was issued August 10, 1914 (File No. 763.72111N39/21). File No. 763.72111W74/3 The Minister in Liberia (Buckner) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] Monrovia, August 14, 1914, 6 p. m. French Government demands that German wireless be closed or neutrality would not be observed according to the Hague Convention V, 1907, Articles 3, 5, and 25. French wireless still open. Liberian Government desires advice. BUCKNER File No. 763.72111W74/5 The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN EMBASSY, London, August 17, 1914, 2 p. m. [Received 10.15 p. m.] 387. The following has been delivered to me for transmission by the Liberian Minister here: We understand that the United States Government proclaimed Liberian neutrality 30th of August [sic]. France now demands that the German cable company in Monrovia, Liberia, be closed. In case of refusal France will consider neutrality violated. France cites to support her demands Articles 3, 5, and 25 of the Hague convention of 1907, No. V. Liberian Government contends that Articles 8 and 9 of the same convention nullify the demands. French and German cable companies are in operation. Represent this to the American Ambassador, London. Great urgency. PRESIDENT HOWARD OF LIBERIAN REPUBLIC File No. 763.72111W74/3 The Secretary of State to the Minister in Liberia (Buckner) [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 18, 1914, 8 p. m. / Your August 14. Department has been informed that neutrality of Liberia will be respected by German and French Governments. French Chargé here states that Liberian Government should observe the obligations prescribed to neutrals by international law and that French Government has asked Liberia to close German wireless station at Monrovia which is corresponding with German authorities for military and naval purposes. For information of President 1 See telegram of August 21, 1914, from the Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain, post, p. 714. Howard in taking such measures as he may deem necessary to preserve neutrality, the text of President Wilson's recent proclamation on subject of radio communication is given herewith: WHEREAS proclamations having been issued by me declaring the neutrality of the United States of America in the wars now existing between various European nations; and whereas it is desirable to take precautions to insure the enforcement of said proclamations in so far as the use of radio communication is concerned; It is now ordered, by virtue of authority vested in me to establish regulations on the subject, that all radio stations within the jurisdiction of the United States of America are hereby prohibited from transmitting or receiving for delivery messages of an unneutral nature, and from in any way rendering to any one of the belligerents any unneutral service, during the continuance of hostilities. The enforcement of this order is hereby delegated to the Secretary of the Navy, who is authorized and directed to take such action in the premises as to him may appear necessary. The President of the United States has now under consideration what steps, if any, should be taken with regard to controlling cable stations in the territory of the United States. No reply has as yet been received to the Department's cable asking for assurances from British Government that neutrality of Liberia' will be respected. BRYAN File No. 763.72111W74/5 The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Herrick) [Telegram-Extract] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 20, 1914. Department has received following from President of Liberia: [Here follows the telegram of August 17 from President Howard.1] Inquire whether France has made such demands and, if the facts are as stated, you may ask the French Government upon what grounds it bases the demands. BRYAN File No. 763.72111W74/5 The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, August 21, 1914. Your August 17, 2 p. m. United States has not proclaimed Liberian neutrality. On August 17 Department cabled American Minister at Monrovia regarding demand of French Government asking Liberia to close German wireless station. Text of President Wilson's recent proclamation on subject radio communication was also sent for information of President Howard in taking such measures as he may deem necessary to preserve neu 1Ante, p. 713. trality of Liberia. Have asked American Ambassador at Paris to make inquiries regarding demands of French government violation of neutrality by Liberia. BRYAN File No. 763.72111W74/7 The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN EMBASSY, London, August 21, 1914. [Received August 22, 6.50 a. m.] 446. Your August 7, 8 p. m., and my August 20, 425.1 Foreign Office informs me that British Government have no hesitation in giving you every assurance that they will respect the neutrality of Liberia. They rely on the Government of the Republic to take all proper steps to protect their neutrality in any circumstances which may arise. AMERICAN AMBASSADOR File No. 763.72111W74/9 The Ambassador in France (Herrick) to the Secretary of State 2 [Telegram] AMERICAN EMBASSY, Paris, August 24, 1914, 4 p. m. [Received 9.15 p. m.] Department's August 20. French Government states that Liberian Government was requested to close German wireless station at Monrovia which was being used for military and naval purposes, as being the only certain means of preventing use to advantage of one of the belligerents. Liberian Government having justly observed that they were not authorized to take such step, French Vice Consul at Monrovia has been directed to ask Liberian Government to exercise censorship over operations of wireless station such as is exercised by other neutral powers. If Liberian Government, upon request of German Government, request similar censorship over French wireless messages, French Government will make no objection. No communication has been made to Liberian Government regarding German submarine cable company. 'Latter not printed. HERRICK 'Repeated to the Ambassador in Great Britain and the Minister in Liberia. |