The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-04-08
German Auxiliary Cruiser at
Newport NewsWill Raid
the Seas No More
CAPTAIN REFUSES TO
RISK LIVES OF MEN
Aid Which He Had Expected in the
Form of a German Battleship to
Draw Off Cruisers Did Not Arrive
Guarded by U. S. Marines.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va, April s.
Within few hours of the limit set bv
the United States government Capt. Thier-
ichsen Of the German sea raider Prinz
Friedrich, decided to intern his vessel
The captain had to intern or sail at 4
Ia. m. yesterday, having asked four hours
grace. He expected aid in the shape of a
German battleship or cruiser tc draw off
the British warships awaiting him at the
threemile limit. At o'clock he got a
message from the German ambassador
Then, with a smiling face he notified
Rear Admiral Helm on the battleship
Alabama and Collector of the Port Ham
ilton of his intention to intern, drew up
his crew on deck and broke the news to
the men who had taken part with him in
one of the most daring sea raids in his
tory. in which the Eitel sent II ships to
the bottom
The Eitel was closely guarded last night
! by United States marines 1t Is said that
attempts have already been made to de
| stroy the vessel and that before the ma
rines were sent to guard her a fire was
discovered IN one of her cabins.
4 have decided not to deliver my men
and ship to fruitless and certain destruc-
| tion. We expected assistance and it has
not arrived in time. There is nothing left
| for us to do but to remain here until the
close of the war, was the message read
out by the captain
The Eitel was all ready to sail. She has
fully supply of provisions and her bunk
! ers are filed with coal. Up to 6 o'clock
Iyesterday afternoon the Eitel appeared to
Hbe making preparations to sail All of her
iboats We're hauled up and she moved out
IN the middle of the slip that leads to the
| pier where she is meored Men stood at
her lines and it looked as if Capt Thier-
ichsen intended giving orders to east off
at any time.
But the order to intern came suddenly
Capt. Thierichsen appeared on deck and
his crew were called to attention He
spoke to them in German and dismissed
them with wave of his hand. He told
them that there was no chance to escape
the fleet of enemies ships off the Virginia
beach. The long looked for assistance had
not arrived in time to comply with the
laws of the United States and he would
not heedlessy sacrifice their lives by at
tempting to reach the open sea with no
ship to help him cope with the ships Of
the enemy.
The crew gathered about the ship in
little groups and discussed the situation.
They barred their heads when the German
naval ensign was run down and then
walked about the ship in confusion.
Capt. Thierichsen ordered a man in the
pilot house to blow one blast of the Eitel 5
siren. 1t was signal that she would not
attempt to make dash to the sea
The Eitel arrived here on Mar. 10 after
cruise of 5000 miles from Using tao.
She had 300 men, women and children
taken from II merchant vessels she sent
to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.
Secretary of the Navy Daniels has sent
formal orders today to Rear Admiral
Beatty, commanding the Norfolk navy
yard, to take the Prnz Eitel Friedrich to
the navy yard for internment. At first
the officers and men will probably be
given the freedom of Norfolk and later
the officers viii be~given practically unre
, stricted freedom. but pledged not to vio
late the neutrality of the United States