Omaha daily bee., 1915-03-12
ETTEL FRIEDRICH
CHASED INTO PORT
Three British War Vessels Were
Within Few Miles Of Converted
Cruiser When It Reached
United States Port.
HOLDS PAPERS OF THE FRYE


NEWPORT NEWS, Va, March IL.
Captain Thierichsen of the Prinz
Eitel Friedrich late today formally
informed Collector Of Customs Ham
ilton that IL was not his intention to
inferno his vessel and that unless the
United States refuses to grant him
the necessary time for repairs and
restraints him, the converted cruiser
will attempt to continue its voyage
of adventure.
NEWPORT. Va, March 1.-THE
crew of the American ship william
P. Frye, sunk by the German cruiser
Prime Eitel Friedrich, we're released
from the Prinz Eitel Friedrich to-
day. Twenty-Five arrived. but two Of
German nationality remained behind
and responded to colors of the faith
eriand by enlistment.
NEWPORT NEWS, March 11-At
o'clock this morning the Eitel
Friedrich had been in Hampton
Roads thirty-slx hours and no signs
of any intention TO move we're APP
parent. British cruisers were indefi-
nitely reported lurking off the Vir-
gilman capes, and a boatman, who
delivered papers to officers of the
German cruiser. declared members
OF the crew had told him the Eitel
had been chased into American
waters by British cruisers.
That At least three british wsrships
were IN pursuit of The Eite Friedrich
when It reached American waters early
yesterday morning. mas been established.
10 the officer OF one OF the gunken Brit
sh ships on board the commander OF the
Eithal stated that Judging from wireless
interchanges Of the British ships. one was
within ten miles. the other within thirty
or forty miles, and the third within fifty
miles Of his ship when nc reached the
three-mile limit Of the Virginia capes.
wants to Make Repairs.
Collector Hamilton received written
Instructions from Washington to govern
his course with the Ethel Friedrich and
ne at onve gave Commander Thcirchsen
formal notice to leave within twenty
four hours unless reason for longer
stay In neutral port could be- advanced.
The German commander told mo-"
Collector Hamilton said. that he had
come In for repairs 20 his ship. That
reason was sufficient to prevent any
summary orders from this government.
Today l shall ask the commander for
sworn statement as to his reasons for
sinking the American ship Frye When
this has been received will take up with
him the nature of repairs necessary TO
make his ship seAworthy Upon that will
determine how long thlL government will
permit the Eitei Friedrich TO remain In
American waters without intemment.
Refuses 60 Give Up Fryc's Papers.
Il asked the German coVmander for
the Frye's papers. Thus far/he has main
tanned that the papers must go to prize
court. but has agreed TO submit 10 me
later today copy OF them, When the
captain Of the Frye asked for his papers,
Commander Thierichsen told him, as he
afterward Informed me. that he had not
conceded 10 the American master tho
Right to the papers una stated ills con-
tention that they should be sent 10 Ger
many. But he oheerfuliy agreed 10 have
copies made"
Al soon as Commander Thierlchnen
submits the nature OF the repairs neoes-
sary 70 tho Ethel Friedrich a report will
be forwarded 10 Washington. Upon that
will be determined the question n Intern
msnt The ships papers OF all the Hitel
Briedrich's prizes als9 have been like
wise confiscated by the German COM
mander.
Officers Of the Eitel Friedrich remain
stolidly silent as TO tho 'operstion OF the
ship in Pacific waters. except 10 deny
that II took part Of any navel engage
ments II was reported. however. that
Il also sunk the British schooner oeorgist
In the Pacific and that Il took coal from
the French ship Jean, sunk off Val
,araiso. Chile.
List OF Vessels SUNK.
The HIST OF vessels sunk. with tho num-
Der Of persons removed from each, as
announced by Customs Collector HamIl-
ton today. Is:
British sailing ship Iuvercoe. w. ].
King. master, crew. twenty-three;
owner, Inver line. OF Aberdeen. Scot
land. Sunk February -
British steamship Mary Ada Short,
A. r. Dobbing. master. crew, twenty
eight; owner. James westoll OF sun
& derland. England. Sunk February IS.
French steamship F1oride. Monssin,
master; crew. seventy-eight; psssen-
sers. eighty-six; owners. compagnIe
Generate TraRs-AtlantiQue Sunk Feb
ruary -.
British steamship willerby. ].
WedgsWood, master; crow. twenty
seven; owners. Ropner a Co. OF West
Hsrtlepooi Sunk February 80
Russian sailing ship Isabel Browne,
Axmar Erikson. master; crew, thir-
teen; owner. Tronbers. Finland Sunk
January q.
French sailing ship Pierre Lott.
Tranchant. master. crew. twenty-four;
Society Noucslle Darmoment OF
Nantes. France. owners. sunk jan
uary =.
American sailing ship William p.
Frye. u, n. Kiehne. lnitster; crew.
thirty-one; owner. Arthur sewall 4
co. Of Bath. Me. sunk January q.
Cargo OF wheat fSom Seattle, Wash.
TO Queenstown fsssiand for orders;
declared to be eorsraband b. German
cruiser
French sailing ship Jacobsen. V.
10 Roux. master: crew, twenty-tliree;