File No. 882.00/512.
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Navy.
Washington, November 29, 1915.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of November 20, 1915, informing the Department of the arrival of the U. S. S. Chester at Monrovia on November 8 last, and requesting to be informed when the services of the cruiser will be no longer required in Liberian waters, as it is desired that the vessel proceed to Haiti at as early a date as possible.
In reply I beg to say that a telegram has been received from the American Chargé d’Affaires at the Liberian capital, reporting the arrival of the Chester with the Government’s commission of inquiry at Sinoe on the 10th of November, and stating that the Kru tribes refuse peace negotiations and that warfare is beginning. In view of this regrettable situation it is most earnestly desired that the Chester be permitted to remain in Liberian waters until the disturbances subside and the lives of foreigners in the Republic are no longer in danger.
I have [etc.]