But the main protection comes from the President of the United States. after all. The vessels cannot go to any belligerent ports without going through combat areas. and no American vessel. whether it be a Red Cross vessel or not. can go into such an area without the permission of the President. and so far he has been very chary in giving his permission. He has made but one exception. that being as to our refugee ships. At that time he took every precaution to notify all the belligerent powers that those ships were refugee ships. that they were carrying nothing except food necessary to supply our citizens while they were being brought back. There may be. and probably will be. a great restriction on the use of the Red Cross.