File No. 741.8215/63.
The American Chargé d’Affaires at
London to the Secretary of
State.
No. 2127.]
American Embassy,
London,
October 16, 1912.
Sir: I have the honor to report that the
Liberian Minister called upon me this morning and left with me a
memorandum in regard to the case of Messrs. Lomax and Cooper, who have
recently been acquitted by the Court of Quarter Sessions and Common
Pleas at Monrovia.
It appears that there was a widespread conspiracy instigated by the late
chiefs to overthrow the power of the Liberian Government in the
interior, and that but for their timely and drastic actions, there would
have been a repetition of the Sierra Leone raid of 1898.
I beg to inclose a copy of the memorandum.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure—Memorandum.]
The Liberian Minister
to the American Chargé d’Affaires at
London.
The case of Lomax and Cooper came up for hearing at the last term of
the Court of Quarter Sessions and Common Pleas.
[Page 662]
After a trial of three days the jury brought in a verdict of
acquittal in their behalf. Of course the Executive Government have
done all that was in their power to do and placed before the courts
all the evidence which they had.
The defense set up the plea of justification stating that there was a
widespread conspiracy instigated by the late chiefs to overthrow the
power of the Government in the interior, and that but for their
timely and drastic actions, there would have been a repetition of
the Sierra Leone Raid of 1898. Shortage of ammunitions, distance
from Monrovia, lack of railway or other quick traveling facilities
and the arrears of pay of most of the soldiers suggested to them the
course of action which they pursued.
Liberian Legation,
London
, October 16, 1912.
Note.—For a statement of the President
of Liberia on this subject see “Message of the President,” ante,
p. 649 et seq.
