882.5048/58
The Acting Secretary of State to the Liberian Consul General at Baltimore (Lyon)
Sir: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of August 14, informing the Department of the desire of the Liberian Government to investigate fully by means of an international commission the charges which have been made in certain quarters regarding alleged slavery and forced labor conditions in Liberia.
This Government, needless to say, is fully appreciative of the humanitarian motives which have prompted the determination on the part of the Liberian Government to appoint an international commission to investigate. It feels that such action on the part of the Liberian Government cannot but redound to Liberian prestige, and it has already indicated to the Liberian Government through the American Legation at Monrovia this Government’s willingness to cooperate with such an international commission.
Very truly yours,