Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-03-18
WILSON MAY ASK
AN APOLOGY FROM
GERMAN EMPEROR
U. S. Government Expected t.
Demand Expression of Regret
From Germany and Pay
For Freiqhter Frye.
PROMPT ACTION EXPECTED
President and Cabinet Consid.
ering Testimony of Captain
and Grew of Ameri-
can Ship.
PROMPT ACTION EXPECTED

washington. Mafth I5.-lIt lull
story of how the American sailing YES
sci, William p. Frye, was SUM in the
south tlantic with her cargo of wheat
| by the German m raider, Prlnz
Eitel FREDERICK. was officially laid be
fore the American government today
by the Frye's commander. Capt. H. H.
Kiehne.
Upon Captain kiehne's informal
statement, made before department of
ficlals the United states will decide its
curse which probably Will be "A de-
mand for an expression of regret from
Germany and payment for the loss of
the ship and cargo. Captain klehne,
with Assistant Secretary Peters of the
treasury department, went to the state
department. where he was received by
Secretary Bryan and then went into
conference with Counsellor Lansing. ut
which the members of the advisory
neutrality board and representatives, of
the owners of the Frye We're present.
Count Bernstorff, German ambassd-
dor. in discussing with the state de-
partnlent officials today the sinking OF
the American ship. William p. Frye.
defended the action of Captain Thieri-
chens, of the German auxiliary cruiser,
PrinZ Eitel Friedrich. contending that
he acted under the Declaration of Lon
don. which was the only guide he had
as to disposition Of prizes.
confers With Boy-ed.
The ambassador, before going to the
state department. conferred with Cap
tain Boy-ed. naval attache Of the en-
bassy, who returned yesterday from
Newport News. .
Count Bernstorff did present anyS
note to the state department and said
L. I-l - 49, F-~~,
his government. He said he called to
discuss he question informally.
IN defending the action of Com
mander Thierichens. the ambassador
contended that when the officer left
Using Tau at the outbreak of the war
last August. he had nothing to follow
save the declaration of London in de-
Gliding what to do with vessels he
might seize. For that reason, the am
bassador argued, he had a right to sink
the Frye as it's cargo of wheat was
consigned ito order" and destined to a
fortified port of the enemy. So long
as there was no port into which he
could take his prize. he had a right.
the ambassador coutended, to destroy
not only the cargo, hut the vessel itself.
Furthermore, the ambassador argued
that the commander of the Prinz Eitel,
when he sank the Frye, did not know
that a German prize court on August
3 had held that the mere fact that a
merchant ship was bound for an en-
envy port was not sufficient proof that
her cargo was destined for the enemy.
The case of the Frye, however, the
ambassador said, would have to be
settled in accordance with nternationa
law. because of the present status Of
the declaration of London.
We do not intend" he said, ito dis
regard any of the judicial niceties' OF
the case"
The next step in the case cannot be
taken until the question of the des-
tination of the Frye's cargo Is deter
mined and the state department will
await action, on that point by her own
ers, who must present certain proofs
on which the government will predicate
It's action.
Frye Captains Story.
Captain Kiehne was questioned at
length. The American captain said he
submitted willingly to search and as
sured the German he had no cargo
but wheat.
The German officer examined the
ships papers carefully, and then the
cargo was ordered thrown overheard,
While that was being done, the Eitel
went away for another prize, returning
to the Frye after several hours and
took off the American skipper and his
crew. The Eitel's captain then sunk
the Frye. fearing a long delay in wha;
he considered the path of hostile cruis-
ers, might subject his own ship to dan
ger.
Captain Kiehne said that he did not
know while en- route to Queenstown
that the cargo of wheat had been sold.
nor did the German commander. The
cargo was shipped ito order and the
vessel was to stop at three British
ports, one of which was fortified.
While no vessels We're sunk, nor was
any chase made for enemy ships while.
the Americans We're aboard the Eitel
Captain Kiehne said the German COM
mander mad no effort for more thar
a month to Ian his neutral passengers
in a safe port. Undoubtedly they may
be one of the chief points of future
representations by the United States.
because it is held the Americans were
subjected to Unnecessary risks. w. d
Sewall, of Bath, Me, one of the owner.
of the Frye, was asked If he knew any
thing of the ownership Of the cargo
and he declared, it was said. that ht
had no financial interest in the sale O;
the cargo or knowledge of TO whom il
would be sold.
Officials. after listening to the state.
ment of Captain Kiehne. took the view
that the American case was a strong
one and when all the facts were pre-
scented to Germany restitution would
be made.