Evening star., 1915-03-13
Full Story of How Eitel Fried
rich Sunk Ship Laid Be-
fore United States.
GERMAN AMBASSADOR
DEFENDS THE ACTION
Government Will Predicate Action
on Proofs as to Destination Of
American Vessels Cargo.

The full story of how the American
sailing ship William P. Frye was sunk
In the South Atlantic, with her cargo OF
wheat. by the German commerce raider
Prjnz Eitel Friedrich, has been laid
officially before the American govern
mont TODAY bv the Frye's commander.
Can't H. H. Kiehne.
Count Won Bernstorff, the German
ambassador, notified the State Depart
ment that he upholds the action OF
Cant Thierichens of the Prinz Eitel In
sinking the Frye. because II carried
food cargo consigned to a fortified
mort of the enemy. This action, he said,
was taken by him without having re-
ceiyed instructions from the German
foreign office.
1t Is viewed here merely as a diplo-
matte procedure.
Next Step in Case.
The next step in the case cannot be
taken until the question OF the des-
tination of the Frye's cargo is de-
termined. and the State Department
will await action on that point by her
owners, who must present certain
proofs on which the government will
predicate it's action
Go to State Department.
Capt Kiehne, with Assistant Secre-
tary Peters of the Treasury Depart
rnent, went to the State Department.
where he was received by Secretary
Bryan, and then went into a conference
with Councillor Lansing, at which the
members of the advisory neutrality
board and representatives of the own
ers of the Frye were present. The
captains detailed statement was taken
for record.
Submitted Willingly to Search
Capt. Kiehne was questioned at
length as to the procedure OF the Ger
man commander from the time the
Frye was sighted until the Americans
were landed safely in port. The Amer
lean captain submitted willingly to
search and assured the German he had
no cargo but wheat.
The German officer examined the
ships papers carefully. he said. 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 skip
per and his crew.
The Eiters captain then sunk the
Frye, fearing a long delay in what he
considered the path Of hostile cruisers
might subject his own ship to danger.
Capt. 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 "to order" and the
vessel was to stop at three British
ports, one Of which was fortified.
Deem Case Strong One.
While no vessels were sunk, nor was
any chase made for enemy ships while
the Americans were aboard the Eitel,
Capt Kiehne said the German COM
mander made no effort for more than
a month to land his neutral pas
sengers in a safe port.
Undoubtedly that may be one OF the
chief points of future representations
by the United States, because 1t is held
that the Americans were subjected to
unnecessary risks.
W. d. Sewall of Bath, Me-. one OF the
owners of the Frye, was asked IL he
knew anything of the ownership of the
cargo, and he declared, 1t was said,
that he had no financial interest in
the sale of the cargo or knowledge of
to whom 1t would be sold.
Officials after listening to tho state
ment OF Capt. Kiehne took the view
that the American case was a strong
one and that when all the facts were
presented to Germany restitution
would be made.