Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1914, Supplement, The World War

File No. 740.6361/6

The Chargé d’Affaires in Russia (Wilson) to the Secretary of State

American Embassy,
St. Petersburg, August 12, 1914, 12 noon.
[Received August 13, 12 noon.]

[Telegram]

Department’s August 7, 9 a.m. [August 8, 7 p.m.], and August 9, 8 p.m. Russian Government will not admit that Embassy buildings of Austria-Hungary or Germany enjoy at present any extraterritorial privileges. Foreign Office thinks that raising American flag would only complicate matters and might cause unfortunate incidents. I do not consider building in danger at present. While protesting against molestation of embassies, I shall comply with Foreign Office request unless otherwise instructed.

Wilson