The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)
Washington, August 10, 1914.
[Telegram]
Your 296. You may say to Mr. Browne, Savoy Hotel, that under United States law Viking cannot be registered as an American ship; that, if sale and transfer of vessel is made in good faith, conveying complete title to American owner, vessel is entitled to fly the flag of the United States but will not be entitled to the protection accorded the regular registered vessels of the United States. Department is considering advisability of asking belligerent governments to permit all vessels bearing American refugees from European countries to the United States unmolested voyage.