File No. 840.48/304
The Ambassador in France (Herrick) to the Secretary of State
Paris, August 16, 1914, 6 p.m.
[Received August 17, 8 a.m.]
[Telegram]
Your telegram of yesterday concerning neutrality of foreign ships used solely to repatriate Americans. In view of suspicion of French Government regarding German ships now lying in neutral ports and in absence of denial of reported sailing of the Vaterland armed from New York, I respectfully request authority to defer representations in sense of above telegram until England, as greatest maritime power, can first be sounded on this question. Effective discharge of heavy responsibility of repatriating Americans and of protecting German and Austro-Hungarian interests so dependent upon maintenance of very cordial relations existing between this Embassy and Foreign Office that I dread taking any step which might be misconstrued. Public opinion in France appreciates attitude of American press and grateful for donations to Red Cross and American Ambulance.