'f hi
. -I"
GET THE MOST FOB TOtm MONET
'By reading the Bniineu LoeaU la The
. Moxnlua; : Star Many bargains appear
daily., ","'. v ' " -
"
VOL. XCV-N0.146.
WHOLE NUMBER 39,136
-I
COMMANDER OF PRINZ
EITEL GIVES: REASONS
FOR SINKII fj. sSsMlP
XW0 Statements, Both in German, Dealing With Sinking of
American Sailing Vessel and Length of Time Converted
Cruiser is to Stay at Newport News, Handed' to
Collector of Customs HamiltonCrews ,
of Other Ships Discharged.
XeWpori. News, Va., March 11. Com-
' Bander Thierichens, of the converted
"miser Prinz Otel Frlederich, which
today went into dry dock for re
pairs, submitted two - statements -in
German tonigrht to Collector of Cus
toms Hamilton, of this port. One stat
ed his reasons for sinking in South-At-ntic
waters, January 28 last, the
American sailing ship William P. Frye
with her cargo of 5,200 tons of wheat
consigned to Queenstown. The other
related to the length of time that will
be required to repair his ship.
Collector Hamilton announced, that
he regarded the answers of the (German
commander as state papers and that
Be would forward them to Washington.
It was learned, however, that the com
mander of the German ship frankly has
tated to American government offi
cials that he sunk the American ship
Frye because he regarded her cargo as
contraband of war. v
May Leave Within Week. -In
the communication relating to the
repairs necessary on the Eitel Frieder
ich it was believed that the - German
commander stated that the vessel could
be made teaworthy within a few days
or a week at most. Whether he stated
in the communication that he wished
to depart as soon as American , naval
authorities could pass on repairs that
are to be made, was not disclosed.-The
"German commander previously made it
clear, however, that it was' not his in
lention to intern his ship. i - ;
As to condition of the Eitel Frieder
ich it was reported that whereas she
had been making 13 knots an hour at
the beginning of her historic wrecking:
career of merchant belligerents in. two
'oceans, she scarcely dared make 12
when she reached American"" w'aters
early Wednesday morning. '
After the German cruiser went "into
dry dock tonight she discharged i the
crews of British, French and Russian
ships she had sunk, having released the
American crew in the afternoon. The
French crews left late tonight on the
Old Dominion Line for New York. A
few Russians went with them. - The
British crews plan to return tO' Eng
land on British ships laden with horses
from this port. t
Commander Thierichens assured offi
cials here that neither he, officers or
men of the Eitel Friederich. would set
' foot on American soil except - on offi
cial business. He made this statement
to Collector Hamilton after stating
that it was his intention not tolintern
Ms ship.
In the Newport News shipyard to
night the released sailors of British
ships, after receiving their kits, march
ed to the street cars, singing "It's a
wng. Long Way to Tipperary."
Reason for Sinking Ship
Commander Thierchens of the Ger
man auxiliary cruiser Prinz Eitel
Freiderich agreed late today to deliver
n writing to the American govern
ment, through the collector of the port
fere, his explanation and reasons for
sinking in the South Atlantic ocean the
American sailing ship William P.
n'e. He also, agreed, after Collector
of Customs Hamilton had boarded the
wrman merchant-marine destroyer
nd submitted neutrality requirements
01 the Washington government, to
-wmmunicate an estimate of . the
amount of time that would be .re--jmred
to repair his ship, at the same
"me stating that it was his desire
ot to intern his vessel but to pro
as son as repairs could be made,
nicn would renew seaworthiness of
we ship. . ..
Jo the request of the Washington
swernment that he land here the
am?S.f Cat,tured. and sunken vessels
vj . SUcn Passengers as could comply
& immigration regulations, the Ger-
mti ' '
TOinmander
i the Ameri can , ship Frye was
te- in the afternoon and ar-
rangem-
Istp r . ,v'" inaae ior laKing vil
"tilth' ami I,, ..-
nlt.
crews of British,
e.,,,, " iu.isittii snip
s sunk in the
1 n Kitl lcreiflpicli hr
shin ?teame(1 irito the Newport News
ship
;"J a,1fi went into.drydock where
con.i t- s:ui an examination, of her
10n- Held on board were about
I- pfenov, " passengers or - tne
!"H SteaiilPr PlnvWo rofnaiul a r
lhe 'mimgration inspectors-on
thes! of in Visibility. Consuls of
8 e P'sengers will arrange as soon
lis uf f: for their departure 'to El
rSinn -new rk- and for their
Wh., e,v Mak Statement.
frvP k , , er,nv of the American Jship
toti,a "5C"" landed, they were taken
. l"8 CUS trim 1. .
CUtOniS Tl nil cm nr. I n .4 onrm.M
-leiilf-nie
the 1 Clrcumstances attending
o? tho , lue smP January 28 last
Hattc
'k the fi
Collector . Hamilton
tatements and also prepared
Joint
tfc mpm'i. ary of conditions which
icn-arrimbers of the crew signed to be
Thev to Washington . tomorrow.
"There I,ot made Public. ....
9!" the 6 Was no conflict of -testimony
cumt eni'Jtl's f the crew as to the
""ir,Jet inr,an''eH surrounding the de
kailron S the Frye" saId Collector
7;th ti, ' , "1Kni- Ait wev in lrne
la given by master : of
a? b!o- saia mat nu.sup
'? a ,.. "': '! with her cargo of wheat
: '--ei, ,;eilSl"w n after the crew : had
H,.-. ieU to board the Gernjan
- J ,w" members ' of the Frye's
iiey .;: lh. Kitel Freidrich today.
ir:'ik 1 J"rr"an subjects, Charles
e!fl -D;.'i !!i 'tohert Rogge who - were
o- ,r,.lTTaiIler - Thiechrens be
Jarrnsi321' 'illLy for service in Ger-
cor,- " i!l'!Se men made no request
4. i l ericau soil, willlnerlv re-
!IM.
mained on board the Eitel Freidrich
and were pressed into service.
Almost Sank Cruiser. ' t
'Members of the crew of the Frye
and officials of other sunken ships to
night revealed more thrilling stories
of the Eitel Friedrich's marine wreck
ing career. Captain J: Wedgewood, of
the British steamship Willerby, sunk
February 20, leaned against the marble
side of the United States customs
house and described how he narrowly
missed sinking the Eitel Friedrich with
her crew and scores of his own coun
trymen who had 'been captured beforei
"The German ship was almost on us
before we discovered her," said Captain
Wedgewood. "We were going full
ayeea aneaa ana tne Friedrich was-
coming full speed, about to ram us
broadside. She hoisted a signal for
us, to ; stop. I kept right . on bujt
swerved and tried to claw around her
to get -by. -I soon saw there was no
chance, for the Friedrich also swerv
ed toward our stern. Instantly I saw"
my chance to ram her and gave the
orders "reverse the engines and give
'em hell for all you're worth."
"I thought I had her. We were soon
going full speed astern and it seemed
we could not fail to strike. We saw
me and women wildly motioning.
They seemed hysterical. Little did I
know that there were British, French
and Russian prisoners aboard. I only
thought of the chance to ram and sink
the enemy and take to sea in our own
boats rather than take a chance at res
cue after the collision. But the, Eitel
Friearich missed the crash by only a
few yards.
' ; . f; Was Ready to Leave,
"Yes," spoke up A. E. Dobbing, mas
ter of the British ship Mary Ada Short
which had Jbeen sunk' two days before,
"and while you' were doin'Vthat,'r vtras
port v holes, sure- V you "were gping" t6 j
nit as. i measurea tne port wa ta.iu
myself, 'Oh, when, she hitsy J can' jump
through this; he's going to sink us
sure, as death,' but he didn't sink up."
Jack Macey, of the crew of the, Frye,
told of the sinking of the French Flor
ide." "She was full of Champagne and
other wines and you should have . seen
her burn. The Friedrich' steamed." away
and came back two hours later wheh
she broke out bright again. Then we
scooted for the -Friedrich was afraid of
the glare and had heard the wireless of
a . British warship not far away."
Other officers and men told how they
had. signed papers not to participate
further in the war against Germany
on the understanding , that they were
to be placed aboard neutral ships!
"We sighted : 38 neutral vessels but
not one was spoken by the Eitel Fried
rich." said Captain King, of the Brit
ish sunken sailing ship Invercoe. "Ev
ery time a neutral ship appeared, we
all were put below hatches. When
we were' approaching ' the "Virginia
Capes V we were in the hatches and
German officers said to us:
."Don't be frightened. If a British
cruiser sights us, stay down below.
We'll return her fire till our mast
head sinks." ,
Gay Spirits Aboard.
-When Collector Hamilton soon after
noon went aboard the Eitel Friedrich,
tne rust-streaked hull and blackened
chimneys of the cruiser concealed a
contrast of gay spirits that even tne
stiff regime of -wartime discipline
could not repress. ' -
When officers came on deck, flushed
from; the banquet table of the' captain
who was celebrating his birthday,
there was no sign 'of -fatigue as they
mechanically slipped into their round
of duty. Behind the dirty black shields
that conceal - the i cruisers auxiliary
guns the crew were at work polishing
the shining - breeches. The deck of
ficer in, his worn but neat uniform
swung back and forth methodically and
everything bore out tne captain s curt
reminder to certain strangers who
wished to board, "this is a warship. We
cannot permit visitors."
."For my part," said one of "the ship's
doctors, "I wish we were- out again.
We could put a few more of them to
the' bottom at least." '"
Thelt the harshness suddenly went
out of his voice and; his eyes that had
been angrily staring at a Union Jack
farther "up the. bay, filled with tears.
"Seven and a half months at sea,"
said-the big Bavarian, "and I don't even
know whether my wife and little girl
in Munich are alive. And my two
brothers, off icers," then he added, "war
time is not chosen.""" - '
As the sun was setting the -crew of
the Frye left, their friendly prison
ship for American soil again and men
on both boats che.ered. They had al
ready been preceded by the wife ,of
Captain. Klehne, her two boys and a
German canary, the gift of the Fried
rich's commander. - -m
- " Many- Times In Danger.
The silent path of the Eitel, which
one officer today declared to be longer
than any1 a ship of war ever traced,
was crossed by a web of varying wire
less messages that had to be received
but which -roust, go unanswered, ac
cording to the description of one of the
men. - -; ! '
-"The one ;messajge that made us
laugh -was to hear i we", .were sunk
agaiA said : the marine. "When we
were in the f Pacific we heard we were
sunk off Patagonia When we round
ed the Horn we heard that we toad been
lost in the South China sea."- ; ,
Other periods of "listening in,' gave
lif e: saving tips to ; the fugitive , ship,
"it--' was' explained. : x ". : - "?;f"-'-r-
we were after a big British sailing
vessel " tho" - sailor continued, v "and
yee in a fair way to get her .when we
heard - the Karlsruhe' talking.no - us.
(ponUnued.on Page ; Eight) ;
) ' -. - - --"-." ""'" . .. .
Washington Urges Necessity
for Railway r Communication.
ASKS ABdr 5 SPANIARDS
Report Thnt I - C Had Been Killed In
Mexico ' ej "osether With a
SwedisT ' ttject Cause of
Ordei Investigation.
Washington, March 11., The United
States today sent another note to Gen
eral Carranza, in reply to Ris response
last, night to the tnotice that he and
General Obregon would be held per
sonally responsible for .the safety of
Americans and other foreigners in Mex
ico City". '
This latest note is understood to
have emphasized, the importance of
keeping railway communication open
between the capital and Vera Cruz. It
was dispatched so quickly after the
receipt, of Carranza's reply that the im
pression prevailed in diplomatic quar
ters that the United States had deter
mined' in advance to make representa
tions for the unrestricted passage of
Americans and other foreigners from
Mexico, City "to "Vera Cruz. "
Carranza's note" produced no " formal
comment. Insofar as it gave assurances
of an intention to protect foreigners It
was regarded favorably.
Carranza's denial that General Obre
gon had intended to incite the popula
tion of Mexico City or to prevent the
entrance to the capital of food supplies,
was followed' in the note which went
forward today by a request that if this
were true trains should be furnished to
carry freight into the city. The note,
also, itis believed, called attention to
the reports of an early eVacuatlon of
Mexico City and again asked for ar
rangements, to police the ; city before
Obregon's forces withdrew.
i - Inquiry is Ordered.
Secretary Bryan also directed an In
quiry to be made by the Brazilian min
ister concerning the report furnished
by Senor Juan Riano,: the Spanish am
bassador -here, that four Spaniards had
bejftOpSllied ln Mexico JCityrJr ' It had been
reported alsV-'-tha r a'c SwotfeK",BfebJfect
had been killed.: . ". ' : t '
On the whole,-" off Jcials thought "the
Carranza. noterelieyed a criticaf- situr
ation, but the warships ordered to-Vera
Cruz were hot. recalled and 'the opinion
prevails that they will be kept there
Indefinitely, : possibly to take away
foreigners. . . - ,
A statement issued -by -the-Villa ag
ency here says: '' '"" ":.---'
The" Washington agency of t the con
vention government' of "Mexico, is ' in
clined to believe the reported evacua
tion of Mexico City by Obregon and its
occupation by General apata prema
ture. . ' '
"A message from General Delipe An
geles, at Monterey, indicates that he
still occupies the city. .
"The convention consul at .Del Rio,
Texas, wired Enrique. C Llorente, 'Vil
la's Washington representative, this af
ternoon, that 500 fleeing Carranzistas
had reached Las Vegas, across.. the Rio
Grande river from Del Rio." They, were
headed by Governor Acuna, whp, after
fleeing from Piedras Negras and taking
refuge on the neutral "soil of the United
States at -Eagle Pass," returned: to Mex
ican territory." "
The State Department gave out the
following: - V
The department is in receipt of a. dis
patch dated March 10, 6 P. " M.; from
Eagle Pass, stating that Piedras Negras
was not occupied by either faction.
- "" "Text of American Note.
Following is the text ot the Ameri
can note- which j. Consul : SUHman de
livered to Carranza and which the lat
ter quoted in his reply ; made public
today by the State Department:
'We have been anxious and per
plexed over the statements in dis
patches from Mexico City ' regarding
the situation there, .and have conclude
edi that the best course at present is
for you immediately tot see General
Carranza and' present to him a most
earnest and emphatic note in the fol
lowing sense:
"The government of , the United
States has noted with increasing con
cern the reports of Gehe"?ai Obregon's
utterances to the residents of Mexico
City. "' -'
"This government believes they tend
to! incite the populace (to commit; out
rages in which innocent foreigners
within Mexican territory, probably rthe
City of Mexico,, may -be inyojved. vThis
government is particularly impressed
with General Obregon's suggestions
that he-would refuse to protect not
only -Mexicans but foreigners in case
of j violence and that this present man
lfesto is a forerunner of others more
disastrous in effect. : ' ' -V-
Deplorable Situation.
"In this condition of affairs, the
government of the United States is in
formed that the City of Mexico -may
be evacuated soon by the .'Constitu
tionalist force, x leaving the population
without protection against ? whatever
faction may choose to occupy .'it, thus
shirking the responsibility which may
happen as a result of the instigation, to
lawlessness before and after, the evac
uation of the city. The government of
the United States is led to believe "that
this deplorable situation has rbeen wil
fully brought about by .Constitutional.
1st leaders. - . . ' r,: -'
"When a fractional leader preys upon
a starving people to compel obedience
to his decrees in . inciting, .outlawry
and at the same time uses means to
prevent the city, from t being supplied
with food, .a situation is,, created which
it is impossible fore the United: States
to :" contemplate .longer with patience.
. VCondlti0s "';- have .become , intolera
ble and. cari no longer;-be endured. The
government,, of,, the United . States de
sires -General . Obregon - and .'-General
Carranza to knew that it has,- after-mature
consideration, determined : that if,
as a result of the situation for, -which
U -i: (Continued trpm :Pag.e"Two.":
SUCCESS SMILES
UPOII EFFORTS OF
ALLIES III FRANCE
British' Victory in
Region ' Divides ; Honors
Wth Prinz Ktel-
WITH ENGLISH PUBLIC
4-
Great Britain Confident Days
of Converted Cruiser are
Numbered.
British Airmen Destroy Rail
way Junctions-
London, March 11.: The arrival of
the German ' auxiliary 'cruiser Prinz
Eitel Friedrich at Newport News, re
moving for a time at; least another
menace to British shipping, and the
success of the British troops in North
ern France claim chief, attention in the
British Isles. Whether the Prinz Eitel
will be interned or again will-set out
for the highseas, it is considered here
that her career : as an arrSd, cruiser
must come to an end, for should she
be allowed to sail it is believed Allied
cruisers on the watch will account for
her.
The possible action of the American
government with reference tosthe pink
ing of the American ship .William P.
Frye is being much discussed. The gen
eral view is that If the United States
allows German warships to sink Amer
ican ships with food supplies for Eng
land that government hardly 4can protest-
against the-Allies' prohibition of
foodstuffs for Germany, a ,
- BritUh Claim Victory;
r Of the- British victory in Northern
Franco there ' is no -" news -beyond the
ever,; mat wniie no great amount ox.
grouhd has ' been . captured ' the im
provement in the British position is of
importance and, ; if pressed further,
might compel the Germans to evacu
ate LaBassee and perhaps other points.
;Equally important was the success
achieved by British airmen in destroy
ing the railway junctions' at Men in and
Courtrai. These are ' On one of the
German main lines of communication
and their destruction will delay the
arrival of new troop contingents re
ported concentrating in Belgium for
another attempt to break through to
Calais and Boulogne.
According ijta Dutch reports these
troTjps have brought with them boats
for the passage of the canals and
rivers, and for the first time in months
they include cavalry units. '
There has . been fighting in ' Cham
pagne. In' Jhe Vosges, the Rattle for
-Reich Ackerkopf has been resumed.
Battle in North - Poland.
These, however, are small affairs in
comparison with the ; battles which are
in progress in North Poland between
the Niemenu and -Vistula, rivers. . The
Germans apparently are falling back in
the north; but; are fighting a - rear
guard action, . which, has ' become a
pitched battle and are taking, a - f ew
-The Germans again are in Augutowo
forest, on the. East Prussian border,
"which has beeh;;-the burial phj.ee of so
many German and Russian soldiers.
The Germans have brought up light
guns to bombard Ossowetz, while fur
ther to the-south in. the neighborhood
of Ostrolenka they . claim to have de
feated the .- Russians. .The battle on
the roads from Khorjele to Przasynsz
along which the Germans hope to reach
and pierce - the Russian line still , con
tinue. . . - 'f
Cooler weather ' has hardened the
ground" in North Poland which will
facilitate troop movements. This is
said' to be. the first time in history that
weather has favored an; army attempt
ing to invade "Russia.
Reports from Tenedos say the Turk
ish, artillery In the Dardanelles grows
Weaker daily and that in the . last
bombardment the Allied warships
badly damaged the forts at Chanak Ka
lesi. Two big cruisers spent the night
in the straits protecting the v.essels
engaged in ; mine sweeping. . .
Rome dispatches indicate that the
German Ambassador, Prince VonBue
Iow, has renewed, his negotiations with
the Italian, government with the ob
ject of securing the continued ".neu
trality of that i country in return for
territorial concessions .in Austria. Axib
tria, however, is said . to oppose making
any such "concessions as ' would- sat
isfy Italy. -';. . , j ;
BRITISH BOMB KILLS BELGIANS
German Report Says That tne ; Only
Result of Bxploaitlou in ToWn.'-;
; Berlin, March 11," via Wireless , to
Sayville). The German war, office to
day gave out this report: .
An. English' -aviator -has thrown
bombs on tfre town of Jtfenin, in -West
Flanders. . Only one ' of his-: missies
exploded and killed seven and wounded
ten".-.BeIgianp.;wY"-; Vh.- " ;. "
"The British yesterday .attacked the
German positions; near Nueve Chap
pello. At ; some points : they entered
the village- T11 ftehting here r still
continues. ; The British advance , near
Given chy., ha.s been : repulsed.
: rIn the v t (Shampagne . district the
French have delivered '- two attacks
against the "positions in the forest , of
Souain, which- they lost to us ;the day
before; yesterday. Both these attacks
were rephl'sed and the - losses of the
enemy ; were.1; Theavy.-' " vS y.;T ' ' f '
: "In the ;Vosgs. the copflict for .the
possession of the Reich Ackenkopf was
resumed yesterday. v r.; '
"To the west of Serje (to the North
east of Augutowo), we took;6600Bus
' ContinuecfonPase Eight)' f
BRITISH REPLY TO
AMERICA IS READY
Will; Refuse to Agree to Sug-
gestions Offered. . 5
AS TO MARINE POUCY
Note Will Point Out That Germany Has
Violated More Laws of Interna
tional Nature Than rSnb- " '
marine Warfare.
London, March 11. The British reply
to the American note suggesting that
Great Britain allow foodstuffs to enter
Germany in . return .- for Germany's
abandonment of her submarine war
fare on merchant vessels, and her pol
icy of mining the high seas, is. expect
ed to be forthcoming soon, t
While the contents of the reply are
not . known It ' is possible to indicate
Isqme points likely, to emphasize Sir
Edward Grey's reply.
There is a strong feeling in-Downing
street thai:, the ."Quid Pro Quo" put
forward in the American note does not
go. far enough. Foreign office officials
point out that since the opening of. the
war Great Britain has interfered with
only one shipment " of food destined
for Germany and then only after tne
German government, by assuming con
trol of all foodstuffs had abolished the
distinction between the civil and the
military population.
Bligh German authorities have denied
repeatedly the British claim to cut off
supplies of food from civilians is a 'le
gitimate act of war. Great Britain, it
is insisted, never adopted this view, un
til the Germans themselves" made it im
possible any longer to draw the line
between non-combatants and armed
forces. Furthermore, It is added, Great
Britain now is invited by the United
States to forego a clear belligerent
right on " the understanding that Ger
many will abstain from committing
only two of many crimes against both
law and humanity.. ;
Proposal Inadequate.
Authoritative British spokesmen lay
stress on the "Inadequacy.' of this pro
posal from two standpoints. .They ask,
first, what guarantee is forthcoming
that Germany -will keep to her agree
ment.- Supposing, they urge; - thaf:-n
tmrmniMm S$?4Qmm&JyS . nderstood
lines sureested .bv "the ffnitAd Rfet' er has gone, to Newport 'News from
would the United "'2 States secure' its
strict observance?
: They assert that Germany has vio
lated so many compacts and conven
tions in this war that British states
men are disinclined to trust her 'un
supported word. ' ':,t'f ;r . " ;'
Second, they uf ge that the two of
fensives specified in the "."American
note submarine warfare oh merchant
vessels and the mining of. the high
seas are far from: being .the only or
even the worst, offenses of .which Ger
many has been- guilty. The claim is
set up that she has bombarded unforti
fied towns, dropped bombs on places
inhabited solely by civilians: and sunk
both British and. neutral . ships, . as. if
that were the ordinary legal way of
disposing of them.
Great Britain, it : is pointed out, has
indulged in none of these practices and
such mines as she has been compelled
In I self-defense to lay have been laid
in j strict accordance with The Havgue
conventions.
The German policy which arouses the
most ; indignation is the continued al
leged persecution of the' Belgians, mil
lions of whom, it is declared, 'will be
at this moment in a state of semi-starvation
but for American ' : generosity
and assistance." , . . ,;
The view, therefore, held in the
most; authoritative quarter is that if
there is to be any question of Ger
many's conforming to the rules of. civi
lized warfare with respect to all
points, and not merely with respect to
two of them which she has been ac
cused of departing from, it must come,
up for discussion, and that Great Brit
ain could enter Into no agreement-oh
a subject which did -not include a radi
cal change in Germany's present pro
ceedings in Belgium.
- Finally, it is declared by , the same
authority, that these being the fac
tors, that mainly, influence British offi
cial opinion, it may be inferred that
the national sympathy of the . British
government .with the. American sug
gestion, both on its merits . and from
its source of origin, must vto some ex
tent be mitigated by other and wider
considerations. ' ' '
SEVEN MORE BELGIANS
' ARRIVE AT ST. HELENA.
Come Direct ' from War Stricken Conn
, try to Engage in Farming.
Rocky Mount, N., C.,; March 11.- Sev
en; Belgians, directly from the war
stricken country, were , passengers on
train No. 89 today from New York
and changed trains at South Rocky
Mount this afternoon for St. Helena,
in Pender - county, where they go , to
join a colony of about 20 - others who
recently established themselves. The
Belgian subjects . are being brought in
to ' that section by a development com
pany of- Wilmington, headed by Mr.
Hugh MacRae. .. . . .
BATTLES RAGE IN POLAND
Germans Are on Retreat But Give Bat
' tie to Russians .Prisoners Taken. .
: i Petrograd, March .11 (via. London).
The C following official ,. -communication
was issued today: . ;'
Between the Niemen and Vistula bat
tles, of extreme ovstinacy were, fought
yesterday " in., the region . of . Symno n
the valleys of the Omulew and .Orsye
and in the dlrectionj of r the - Przasnysz.
On the left bank o the Vistula" there
Is. "no change. ,. '. . ' ... - ..' ' ;
; "In the . Carpathians... all ot She . en
emy's attacks .have ' been . ne pulsed and
nor . Gorlice our counter attack . ann i
hilated - the" Austrian units'; which had
attempted after the, failure of au Aus
trian : night attack .to entrench; them
selves ' on. our 'front. .,"'- ..t'.- -' :
In i Eastern v Galfcia, ' South of , Nie-
jnjewi ')w.' drove back thel GermaHSi"
WjHINGTONTOMAKE.
EMPHATIC
Or
GERMAN
Officials Unanimous in Their Opinion That the Commander
of German Cruiser Had No Right to Send the William
P. Frye to the Bottom Opinion Shared Largely
by Diplomats Will Demand Reparation
, and Expressions of Germany's Regret.
Washington,- March -11.. Unless the
German . government voluntarily offers
to make restitution for the destruc
tion of the American ship Frye, sunk
by the converted cruiser Prinz .Eitel
Friederich in the South Atlantic, and
expresses regret for the occurrence,
strong - protest ; will be made by the
United States with a request for repa
ration. - ? .
; No announcements concerning the
case probably will be made, high offi
cials said, until after an. investigation
of all the facts had been completed.
President Wilson, at. the White House,
stated ' during the ' day that a" search
ing Inquiry would be conducted.
Entirely Beyond Rights.
. Officials were unanimous in their
. opinion, and . it was shared largely by
diplomatists, too, that the commander
of the Prinz Eitel had no right to send
the" Frye to the bottom. Officials con
sidered it .probable that the German
government," after being apprised of
the facts, would admit the error of the
naval commander and agree to make
the usual . reparation. Some officials i
thought sufficient amends, after the
payments of damages, would - be the
court martiallng of the German officer.
" It was made - clear at the State De
partment that -whatever actioVi would
be taken, as a result of the sinking of
the Frye would be entirely disasso
ciated from questions rarising out of
the entry Into an . American port o
the Prinz . Eitel-desiring time for re
pairs. , The vessel could, therefore, de
part, leaving, the questions . raised by
the destruction of the American ship
to her settled through diplomatic chan
nels.. . t -.;-4
Captain Boy-Ed, naval attache of the.
New- York to..- obtain from, the captain
of the Prinz Eitel "a sworn statement
of the. facts for. the German govern
ment. ; ' " ' ;'
Gaptani Xiehne,: of the Frye, has
been asked by the Treasury Depart
ment to ifce'ep his crew together, so
that all the l testimony necessary for
diplomatic correspondence may be
gathered. ; The. .captain: probably will
come to -Washington' Saturday to con
fer with Treasury and State Depart
ment officials.;.: ,-. - ;
Destruction . Prohibited.
Examination of precedents in-international,
law revealed to State Depart
ment officials, . they said that the gen
eral rules- of maritime practice have
prohibited the destruction of a neutral
vessel under . the circumstances in
which the Frye was found in the South
Atlantic by the Prinz Eitel.
Many arguments have been urged
from time, to time against the desruc
tion of neutral vessels and when in
doubt American naval commanders
haye been cautioned always to dismiss
the vessel. Before destruction in any
case, the crew, - passengers and papers
must be taken from the neutral vessel
on board the . belligerent ship. "These
are then immediately subject," says
one .'of the . authorized publications of
the United States navy ' war college,
"to. all the dangers of War to which a I
war vessel of a belligerent is subject.
Such a position may: be an undue hard
ship for those who have not. been en
gaged .in the war : and one to which
they could not be exposed." t
Xt was said in official quarters that
the American government took note of
the fact that American citizens by
their ' enforced . presence on board a
German cruiser, for more than a month
had been subjected, to unnecessary
risks ahd that -this probably would be
one of the points in the correspondence
which is certain, to develop between
the United .States and Germany over
the . incident.
Only Wheat in Cargo.
That the Frye was carrying wheat
and no other kind of cargo has been
established in official reports. The fact
that the cargo was sold while In tranr
sit to a British firm would not, in the
opinion of officials alter the necessity
in case of capture for bringing the car
gd" into port for adjudication,, especial
ly since Germany has given assurances
that it would not -detain foodstuffs de
stined to; the civilian population of an
enemyl As - there is no proof available
on the high seas that -the cargo would
. be used by, the : belligerent - forces of
an enemy, international law authori
ties of 'various countries claim such
questions should be settled in prize
courts, and not "quarter deck courts."
The United States maintained in the
case of the Knight Commander during
the Russo-Japanese war that the, de
struction" Of the; vessel by Russia be
cause It -contained contraband was un
warranted. "
Other reasons, . such as military ne
cessity must be ' proved- : The naval
codes of the. principal powers caution
their commanders not. to destroy a
neutral vessel unless carrying a cargo,
obviously contraband, such as arms
and ammunition, and; certain of : con
demnations, and then in case re-cap
ture by the enemy is imminent or when
it Is impossible through lack.- of coal
or , prize crew, to send- the . prize to a
home port. ; This : practice has been
adopted as a part of the United States
naval .code. -;;.v -rv" ".'. ''
-"-;. .Rules .of; Otfce. Powers. -v --The
J Russian 'instructions to naval
commanders during the Russo-Japanese'
war ;'after. the : destruction of Borne
neutral -vessels - had' caused, a stir
among ; neutrals ;-,.were v announced v as
follows; - - ."-. ,'"r- ' - ---f:-A
. -. "Russian vessels ...are ,not, to sink,
neutral merchant menu rwlth contraband!
on board in the futurer except In" ca'se"
of dire iieceSBtty,. bat in. cases-of emer-
PROTEST
TO
GOVERNMENT
gency to send prizes,
ports."
into neutral
The Japanese regulations were of
the same character, but the British
manual of naval prize law declares
that "if the commander is .unable to
spare a prize crew to navigate the ves
sel to. port , of adjudication, the com
mander should release the vessel and
cargo without ransom unless there is
clear proof that jhe belongs to the ene
my. If in either of these cases there
is clear proof that the vessel belongs
to the enemy, the commander , should
remove - her crew and papers, and if
possible her cargo, and then destroy
the Vessel."
. The American naval rules provide
for -the destruction of any enemy ship
after taking off crew and passengers
but the latest opinion of the' United
States war college adds:
"If a seized neutral vessel cannot for
any reason be brought into port for
adjudication, it should be dismissed."
Decision Npt Reached.
Navy and State Department officials
still had under consideration tonight
the length of time to be allowed the
Prinz Eitel Friederich to make repairs
at Newport News and the disposition
to be made of the prisoners.
The . first . point will be decided, after
an' American naval constructor makes
an investigation of the repairs needed
to render the vessel seaworthy. The
release df the prisoners will depend
Somewhat on the representations which
may be made to the United States by
the various embassies or legations who
have nationals aboard. As yet no. com
munications have been received by the
State Department from any, of the for
eign governments concerned. ,
Pending a determination of these
questions,; Rear Admiral Beatty, of the
Norfolk -navy yard, called onthecom
mander of the Prinz Eiter formally re
questing him not to use the ship's
L radio .apparatus while, in port and -not -
-t-wiij7w ixie nwiuBrs; crew of pnwasrs
on shore without permission of the col
lector of customs, to all of which the
German captain agreed.
. Rear Admiral Beatty, after his con
ference sent the following message te
Secretary Daniels: 'f.
Admiral Beatty's Report.
"Request concerning wireless receiv
ed. 4.cted accordingly. Am waiting
for Newport News Shipbuilding Compa
ny's statement about probable .- time
needed for necessary repairs. Shall
inform you as soon as possible.-"
F. J. Gauntlett, representing the
shipbuilding company, asked Secretary
Daniels in person whether the Navy
Department had any objection to the
docking of the .Prinz Eitel. Mr. Dan
iels said the department did not ob
ject. ' The ship- was docked almost
within stone, throw of the battleship
Pennsylvania, to be launched next
week. .
' The question of the release of the
prisoners is expected to be passed up
on within a day or two. All enemy
subjects not liable to military service
probably will be released, but they
will hot be at liberty to enter the
United States until they have satisfied
the immigration regulations. Others,
It Is taken for granted, will be paroled
on, promise not to engage in hostilities
again. If the Prinze Eitel decides tc
intern, her own officers and crew will
be interned and her captured prisoners
released unconditionally.
These questions were referred for
an, opinion to the neutrality board
composed' of James Brown Scott and
Captains Knapp and Oliver, of the
United States navy. Their report to
Counsellor Lansing of the State Depart
ment has not yet been approved. All
reports of the neutrality board are ol
an advisory character subject .to the
approval of ; the State Department . and
until a decision is announced their na
ture is not disclosed.
Pride of U. S. Sailing Fleet.
Destruction of the William P.: Fry,
by the; Prinz Eitel Friederich struck
from marine lists the pride of the
American sailing fleet in point of size
and equipment and one of the largest
square-rigged craft in the world. -Her
loss falls not upon an emotionless cor
poration, but upon individuals, ' mem
bers or connections, of the Sewall fam
ily, famous among New "England ship
builders and' owners since the days
when American clipper ships carried
commerce of the world In all the sev
en seas and fought the losing-battle
againststeam craft that ended Ameri
can maritime prestige. . ' - , ' .
The Frye was built in Bath, Me., and
granted registry in 1901, with 38 per
sons, six of whom were women,"; ap
pearing as -Joint- owners. That owner
ship has never changed. The ship was
named after the late Senator Frye, of
Maine, and it is recorded that he de
clared; himself more honored in hav
ing his name upon an American, built,
owned ' and operated sailing vessel
than if the fleetest; of Atlantic liners
had borne it. ! ' .
The Frye's gross tonnage was 3,374.
APPEALS TO GOVERNMENT.
Owner of Vessel Asks American Gov
ernment to Start Proceedings
- London . Beach,' Cal., March 11.- Sam
uel S." W. SeWall, of Bath, Me. one of
the owners of . the; sailing ship William
P.; Frye, sunk vby the Prinz Eitel Frie
derich; said today he had appealed, to
the; United, States tot proceed against
the German warship "as a sea rover,
and her- crew . as pirates. . : He. has asked
alo' that vigorous- representations be
made to Germany. r .
"The Frye" he said, ."carried a cargo
that was .marked n on -con trabari d by :
the ' Federal Insurance TBureau. f There
was " nothing but wheat ' aboard- the
ship. . ; . - v ,. ,. . r . :v"--"
Mr. SewaU saidj the vessel was wortb.
v Continued ron tage pight if t
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