File No. 312.41/106.
Ambassador Page to the Secretary of State.
London, February 22, 1914.
Sir Edward Grey showed me a telegram he is sending to Spring Rice asking United States Government’s permission for a British Consul to investigate Benton’s death. He thinks such an investigation, in addition to our own or in conjunction with it, will quiet excitement here. House of Commons summoned him to-day out of regular order to question him. He informed me that he wished the truth to be got at independently of Villa’s version, and he expressed confidence in our good will and in the effectiveness of our investigation if we take it vigorously in hand and summons all possible witnesses.