File No. 195.1/163
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State
London, August 7, 1914, 8 p.m.
[Received 8:40 p.m.]
[Telegram]
296. Mr. G. H Adhere to-day handed me copy of following telegram he states he had had sent to you:
Please authorize immediately Embassy here to do needful in passing S. S. Viking , Lloyd’s Register 543, under United States flag, and accepting British Board of Trade certificates for captain, officers, and crew. Shall be ready to sail Monday with 400 Americans for New York. British Government promises every assistance and your reply received to-day. Request contained in your telegram August 5, 7 p.m., should be made to the American Embassy at London.
I do not understand that I have authority to place foreign shipping under the United States flag and ask you for explicit instructions.