Woodrow Wilson actually said...
In accordance with a request of the Secretary of the Navy, concurred in by the United States Shipping Board, the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby directed to transfer the following German vessels to the Navy for use as colliers and cargo carriers: Hohenfelde, Kiel, Breslau, Frieda Leonhardt, Rudolf Blumberg, Saxoma, Nicaria, Vogesen.
05/21/1917