Edwin James Barclay (5 January 1882 – 6 November 1955)[1] was a Liberian politician, poet, and musician who served as the 18th president of Liberia from 1930 until 1944.

[citation needed] Edwin Barclay, a member of the True Whig Party which ruled at that time, served as secretary of state of Liberia in the government of Charles D. B.

One of his first official decisions was to repeal the famous Port of Entry Law of 1864 that had restricted the economic activities of foreigners in the country.

These included threats by the League of Nations led by the German, British and American governments to occupy the country unless reforms were made, aggressive diplomatic intrigues by France and a coup attempt by the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company which owned much of Liberia's land.

Harvey Firestone attempted to persuade the United States government to employ "gunboat diplomacy" to compel compliance with the loan agreement.

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt refused to interfere in Liberian internal affairs, writing in a memorandum to the State Department: "At all times we should remember that (Harvey) Firestone went to Liberia at his own financial risk, and it is not the business of the State Department to pull his financial chestnut out of the fire except as a friend of the Liberian people.

"[citation needed] In 1932, the Liberian Legislature passed the Moratorium Act suspending payment of the Firestone loan until terms could be negotiated that were more in line with Liberia's ability to pay.

Some European powers in the League of Nations had advocated mandate status for Liberia, a move which would have abrogated the independence of the republic.

[citation needed] After Barclay implemented some of the measures that had been proposed by the League of Nations, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt restored diplomatic relations with Liberia in 1934.

[citation needed] In 1937 President Barclay, under pressure from the United States, withdrew the concession agreement with the German investors, who were accused of sympathies with the Nazi regime in their home country.

Among many other uses, natural rubber was needed to build tires for war planes, military jeeps, aircraft guns, and sensitive radar equipment.

"[9] President Barclay assured the Americans that Liberia would supply all the natural rubber that the United States and its allies needed for the war effort.

In order to transport American soldiers and war supplies to North Africa, the United States needed to open up a South American-Liberian air corridor.