Evening star., 1915-03-12
THINKS GERMAN CRUISER
WILL HAVE TO INTERN
Assistant Secretary Peters of Treas
ury Department Tells President
Ship Unfit to Put to Sea,
SINKING OF FRYE ILLEGAL
international Law and Naval Prac-
tice Violated by Teuton Com
mander and American Citizens
Imperiled, Lawyers Say.

That demand for reparation and
apology will be made by the
United States upon the German
government for the sinking of the
American sailing vessel William
P. Frye by the German converted
cruiser Prinz Eitel Friedrich.
and that Germany will make full
compensation in money and re-
grets. is the unanimous opinion OF
government officials today.
Confidential reports to officials
here on the condition Of the Prinz
Eitel, in dry dock at Newport
News, Va, seem to make it GER
tain that the German raider will
~ forced to intern there.
Peters Says Ship Unseaworthy.
Assistant Secretary Peters of the
Treasury Department told President
Wilson today he expected the German
commander would not venture to sea
again..
Mr.. Peters told the President that his
reports from Newport News show the
Prinz Eitel is in very bad condition
and utterly unfit to put to sea.
After his conference with the Presi-
dent. Mr.. Peters talked with Capt.
kiehne of the American ship William
p. Frye. sunk by the Prinz Eitel. over
the telephone and directed him to get
sworn statements from as many OF the
crew of the Frye as possible. The
President directed Mr.. Peters to make
a very thorough investigation OF all
the facts in the case.
Capt. kiehne is expected in Wash
ington tomorrow. and as soon as he
arrives he will be interviewed by Mr..
Peters and Counselor Lansing Of the
State Department. and a sworn state
ment taken of all the incidents con-
nected with the sinking of the Frye.
Germany Must Make Reparation.
After Mr.. Peters conference with the
President it became known that ad
ministration officials take the view that
the German government cannot refuse
to make full reparation for the loss OF
the hull and cargo of the Frye.
Out of the sum expected to be paid
by the German government the Amer
lean government will be reimbursed
for the amount of the policy the
hull written by the war risk insurance
bureau.
Assistant Secretary Peters left Wash
ington today for New York. Mr.. Peters
declared his trip had nothing TO do
with the enforcement of neutrality III
New York harbOr or with the case of
the Prinz Eitel
He is expected back in Washington to-
morrow in time to hear the personal story
of the sinking of the William l.. Frye
by the Prinz Eitel from Capt. kiehne.
master Of the American ship.
Questions at Issue.
Three questions raised by the destruc-
tion of the American vessel William r.
Frye by the Prinz Eitel and the entry OF
the latter vessel into an American port
for repairs are being considered by the
United States government.
They are acting on account of the
sinking of the Frye. the length of time
to be allowed the PrinZ Eitel to make re-
pairs at Newport Nows and the dspo-
sition of her prisoners. Pending the
completion of an inquiry into the case.
however, no decision on any of the
questions involved was expected.
Unless the German government
promptly offers to make repatriation for
the sinking OF Ine american SAILING
vessel and expresses regret for the oc-
currence strong protest will be made
by the American government and q
claim presented for damages.
In connection with the neutrality
phases of the case, officials awaited tn.
receipt today of a report of The col
lector of the port at Newport News con-
tanning the statements Of the German
commander, setting forth his reason"
for the sinking of the Frye and the
<~f in,n hs -
10 repair his ship. Determination Of
the latter question win he reached
Il after an inquiry by an American naval
constructor
Capt. Boyd Returns.
Cant. Boy-Ed, naval attache of the
German embassy. arrived here from New
mort News, but declined to discuss the
prinz Eitel. None of the other officials
of the embassy would make any comment
on the vessel or what the intentions OF
her commander may be.
IT was said at the embassy that no re-
ouest had been sent to the German for
eign office for instructions. nor had any
been received.
cant Roy-Ed later left for New York
to Join the German ambassador. SO far
as could be learned. the naval attache did
not visit any American officials here.
Promises Not to Use kadio.
Pending a decision by the American
government regarding the course to
he pursued In the three problems OF
grave import raised by the coming OF
the Prinz Eitel Friedrich to Norfolk,
Rear Admiral Beatty of the Norfolk
navy yard called on the commander OF
the Prinz Eitel, formally requesting
him not to use the ships radio appara-
tus while in port and not to allow the
officers, crew or prisoners on shore
without permission Of the collector OF
customs, to all of which the German
agreed.
Rear Admiral Beatty after his con
ference sent the following message to
Daniels;