852.00/2235: Telegram

President Roosevelt, at Sea, to the Secretary of State

If you decide to order naval vessels from United States to Spain I will wholly approve. Please consider suggestion of hiring one or more small merchant vessels in England. Even if foreign flag ships, [Page 639] officers from training squadron now in European waters can be assigned. This would be quicker than sending vessels from here. You might be able to get two or three American tramp steamers now in European waters.

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