File No. 811.142/266
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Herrick)
Washington, September 2, 1914.
[Telegram]
25. Your undated telegram received September 1 regarding Red Cross ship Prinz Joachim. Red Cross does not consider vessel as hospital ship in any sense, and therefore not within Hague convention. The vessel is simply a supply ship carrying surgeons, nurses, and hospital supplies to the battle fields of Europe regardless of nationality. Moreover, as the vessel proposes to visit the ports of different belligerents it is obviously impracticable to place her under local control except while in port.
The vessel’s mission is to relieve suffering humanity from some of the horrors of war and therefore Department deprecates introduction by French Government of technicalities which tend to cripple vessel’s usefulness in its charitable and generous work. Department can see no valid basis for objection by one belligerent to the visit of such supply vessel flying the American flag and engaged in a neutral sacrificing service which has already been accepted by the belligerents. Present these views strongly to the French Government and press further for assurances that this vessel will not be hindered or molested during its voyage or its stay at French ports.