Permanent Mandates Commission > Communication from the Government of the United States of America

Official No.: Q. L. 3- 1931- VI.
Geneva, January 9th, 1931.
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
SLAVERY CONVENTION OF SEPTEMBER 25th, 1926.
COMMUNICATION
FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
REGARDING THE REPORT
OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY INTO
THE EXISTENCE OF SLAVERY AND FORCED LABOUR
IN LIBERIA.
At the request of the Government of the United States of America, the Secretary-General
of the League of Nations has the honour to transmit herewith to the Governments parties
to the International Slavery Convention of September 25th, 1926, for information, the text
of a communication, dated Washington, December 23rd, 1930, accompanied by a Note and
a Memorandum on the Report of the International Commission of Enquiry into the Existence
of Slavery and Forced Labour in Liberia.
Department of State,
Washington, December 23rd, 1930.
The Secretary of State of the United States of America presents his compliments to the
Acting Secretary General of the League of Nations and has the honour to transmit herewith,
for the information of the Governments parties to the International Slavery Convention of
1926, copies of a note and a memorandum which have recently been addressed to
the Government of Liberia on the subject of the conditions disclosed by the report of the
International Commission of Enquiry into the Existence of Slavery and Forced Labour in
Liberia.
COPY OF A NOTE DELIVERED TO THE GOVERNMENT OF LIBERIA ON
NOVEMBER 5th, 1930, BY THE AMERICAN CHARGE D’AFFAIRES AD INTERIM
AT MONROVIA.
Under telegraphic instructions from my Government, I have the honour to inform you
that the Secretary of State has received from the American member of the International
Commission of Enquiry into the Existence of Slavery and Forced Labour in Liberia a signed
copy of the unanimous report which was recently submitted by that Commission to the
Liberian Government.
The Government of the United States is profoundly shocked at this revelation of the
existence in the Republic established in the name of human freedom of conditions not only
in the tragic contrast to the ideals of its founders, but in denial of the engagements entered
into by the Republic of Liberia through its adherence to the International Slavery Convention
of 1926. My Government fears that the forthcoming publication of this report will cause a
revulsion of feeling throughout the civilised world against the Republic of Liberia, which
international public opinion will hold responsible for the conditions and practices reported
by the International Commission.
In view of the recent assurance of the Liberian Government “ that it accepts
the recommendations and suggestions of the International Commission of Enquiry and agrees
to adopt said recommendations ”, the Government of the United States is convinced that the
Government of Liberia fully realises that its prestige before the world will now depend upon
the sincerity and effectiveness with which it puts promptly into execution the reform measures
to which it stands solemnly committed.
Series of League of Nations Publications
VI.B. SLAVERY
1931. VI.B.2.
S. d. N. 1.025 (F-) 1-075 (A), i 31. Imp. du J. de G.