The troubles of the League of Nations were augmented last week by the fact that, in Liberia, Mr. Barclay and Mr. Mitchell are no longer on speaking terms. All official communications from the U. S. and Liberian Governments on the subject of Liberia's decision to suspend payments on a $2,250,000 loan from Finance Corp. of America (subsidiary of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co.) had to be relayed through the French Government.
Easily distinguished from Charles E. Mitchell, iron-haired president of New York's National City Bank is Charles E. Mitchell, U. S. Minister to Liberia. Minister Mitchell is black. For many years he was a Republican National Committeeman from West Virginia and business manager of West Virginia State College for Negroes. In Liberia Charles E. Mitchell is a most important man.
Important too is Edwin Barclay, President of Liberia, though the U. S. refuses to recognize his Government until and unless it is cleared of ugly charges of countenancing slavery. Month ago Minister Mitchell wrote a letter about the suspended Firestone debt payments to President Barclay, heading it merely "My dear Mr. Barclay." The letter was saucily answered by the President's secretary. Back went the secretary's letter with the oral comment, "You tell Mr. Barclay that the American Minister cannot accept a letter of such a nature from you."
To the French Minister, the Liberian Secretary of State delivered a protest:
"The Liberian Government cannot disregard this snub which it regards as an insult. It cannot find it possible to continue to afford Minister Mitchell the courtesy, official or unofficial, which he hitherto has enjoyed. Will the French Government convey this message to Washington?"
In Washington, slightly embarrassed officials pointed out that since President Barclay's Government has not been recognized, Minister Mitchell was quite correct in addressing him as "Mr. Barclay." Firestone Rubber seemed unlikely to get its money soon.