Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1912

File No. 741.8215/59.

The Secretary of State to the American Minister.

[Telegram.]

Department of State,
Washington, June 29, 1912.

Telegram received from Ambassador at London reports that Foreign Office in note of twenty-sixth instant transmits statements of various witnesses received from Governor of Sierra Leone relative to execution of eight native chiefs by Liberian officials at Kolahun. Taking these statements as a whole Foreign Office is of opinion that cruel and cold blooded murder was committed and that Lomax and Cooper were present and connived. Witnesses swear that Lomax himself shot many persons. Ambassador also informed that documents have been forwarded to British Consul General Monrovia with instructions to communicate them to Liberian Government.

You will immediately bring this matter to attention of Liberian Government expressing confidence of this Government that these reports will receive a searching investigation and if found to be true to any degree that guilty parties will be dealt with according to law.

Knox.