Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-03-12
New International Compli-
cations Now Up to Of
ficials to Solve.
TO CONDUCT INQUIRY
Raider of Waters Presents
Puzzling Question to
President.
TXYASHINGTON, March 10. - Ar
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IXyASHINGTON, March 10. - Ar
w rival IF the German converted
cruiser Prinz Eitel Friedrich at New
port News with the announcement
that during her four months securing
Of the seas as a commerce raider she
had sent to the bottom one vessel
which was Amcrican-owned and flew
the flag of the United States, pro-
foundly stirred official Washington
today.
In The absence Of q detailed story
OF the sinking of the American ship
William 2, Frye, off the coast of
South America, judgment was with
held, but there was no attempt to
deny the seriousness Of the incident
and it was conceded that on its face
it bore the appearance Of an un-
friendly act upon the part Of a Ger
man ship Of war, which must result
in diplomatic negotiations with the
German government
Such information as had come to
official ears tonight at Newport News
in substance ihat the Frye was blown
up because the commander Of the
Eitel held her cargo of wheat to be
contraband 1t was pointed out that
wheat was not contaband unless con-
signed to a belligerent government or
some agent of such government.
The Frye's manifest showed her
bound for Queenstown for orders "
Officials explained that this declar-
alton in the manifest was not unusual
and added that circumstances so far
pointed to the fact that the Frye as
a vessel of a neutral nation engaged
in a legitimate voyage was not sub
jcct to seizure or destruction
The officer and crew of the Frye
will appear tomorrow in Norfolk be-
fore Collector of Customs Hamilton,
ana will bo questioned.
TO Conduct Inquiry.
Facts gathered from these sources
will be forwarded to Washington, and
If necessary, the state department
will conduct an inquiry Of its own,
and will not undertake negotiations
with Germany until its case is clear
Just what demands might be made
upon Germany if the blowing up of
friendly act were not disclosed to-
night. 1t was understood, however,
that the United States probably would
seek the usual honorable amends un-
der international law as well as rep
aration for the owners,
Collector Hamilton has served the
customary notice that the Eitel must
sail within "a hours or intern, or
give reasons for a longer stay, which
will be satisfactory to Washington.
As her commander desires to make
repairs, additional time can be al
lowed. but in view of a preliminary
report by experts who examined the
cruiser today that at least several
months will be required to get her
ready for sea service, 1t generally was
believed that the only course open
for her was to he interned and no
unusual precautions were taken to-
night to prevent her leaving Ameri-
can waters
Most of the survivors Of the cap
tured ships were bound for South
American ports when captured and 1t
is said that the consuls will have them
transferred to New York and sent on
to their original destinations.
If the Eitel interns all the survivors
will be automatically released.
International Lew Involved.
Delicate problems of international
law requires immediate decision aris-
ing out of the cruisers arrival were
the subject of several conferences be-
tween officials of the state and navy
departments. A decision on the vari-
Gus points is expected tomorrow.
Secretary Daniels transmitted the
reports he received to the neutrality
board for a decision on the following
points:
How long the vessel may remain in
port to undergo repairs.
What disposition shall be made of the
survivors of the various ships cap
tured by the Prinz Eitel.
What legal proceedings if any, shall
be entered against the Prinz Eitel and
her officers for the sinking Of the
American ship Frye
Officers and crew of the PrinZ
Eitel will be interned for the war by
the United States government if the
vessel itself is interned. They may
be given paroles on promise not to
participate in the war again.
The owners of the destroyed ship
Frye took out policy for S11, $50 with
the government war risk insurance
bureau last October and this may play
part in determining her status as
carrier Of cargo not subject to seizure.
The F'rye's policy contained this
clause:
No Contraband Allowed.
Warranted to the best of the
knowledge and belief of the insured
no shipment of absolute contraband
will be loaded and that no conditional
contraband will be loaded when the
articles constituting such conditional
contra band are destined for the use of
the armed forces or OF a government
department of belligerent state. or
are consigned to the authorities of
belligerent state or to contractor es-
tablished In belligerent country who
as matter OF common Judgment,
supplies articles of this kind to a belli-
gerent state, or are consigned to
fortified place belonging to a belliger-
ent or other place serving as a base
for the armed forces of a belligerent."
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