New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-12
German Gives Wash
ingtOn Reasons for
Sinking Ameri-
can Vessel,
w. P. Frye.
SAYS REPAIRS CAN
BE MADE QUICKLY
Sea Rover in DrydoCk and
Crews of Destroyed
Boats Landed.
CALLS THE FRYE'S
CARGO CONTRABAND
Captain Thierichens Objects to
Giving Up Original Papers
of Grain Ship.
lBy Telegraph to The Tribune ]

lBy Telegraph TO The Tribune
Newport News, Va, March 1i.-Com-
mander Wilhelm Thierichens of the
German converted cruiser Prinz Eitel
Friedrich which late to-day went into
drydock here for repairs, sadly needed
after six months of rowing the seas,
submitted two statements tonight 20
Collector of Customs Hamilton If this
port. One stated his reasons for sink
ing in South Atlantic waters on Janu-
ary 20 the American sailing ship Will
lam P. Frye, with her cargo OF $500
tons of wheat consigned to Queenstown.
The other related to the length of time
that will be required to repair his ship.
Collector Hamilton announced that
he regarded the statements of the Ger
man commander as state papers and
would forward them TO Washington. It
was learned, however, that the COM
mander frankly has stated to American
government officials that he sank the
ship Frye because he regarded her
cargo as contraband of war.
In the communication relating to
repairs on the Prinz Eitel Friedrich, il
was understood, the commander said
the vessel could be made seaworthy
within few days, or a week at most.
Whether he announced a wish to de-
part as soon as the American naval au-
thorities could pass on repairs to be
made was not disclosed. Previously,
however, the officer had made it clear
that it was not his intention to intern
his ship.
Condition Made Ship Slow.
As to the condition of the cruisers
engines and boilers, it was reported
that while she had been steaming eigh-
teen knots at the beginning of her his
toric commerce-raiding career, she
dared make scarcely twelve knots when
she reached American wcters early
Wednesday morning.
After the ship went into drydock to-
night she discharged the crews of Brit
ish. French and Russian ships she had
sunk, having released tho American
crew in the afternoon. The French
crews left late tonight by the Old Do
minion Line for New York. A few
Russians went with them. The British
crews plan to return to England on
British ships laden with horses from
this port.
Commander Thierichens assured Off
cials here. that neither he, officers nor
men of his ship would set foot on
American soil, except on official busi-
ness. He made this statement to Col
lector Hamilton after saying II was his
intention not to intern his ship.
In the ghipyard tonight the re-
leased sailors Of British ships, after
receiving their kits. marched to street
cars singing "Tipperary."
Captain Boyd, naval attache OF the
German Embassy at Washington, ar
rived to-day and was taken on board
the Prnz Eitel. Commander Therich-
ems declined TO see any one except
government officials and the German
attache
The Prinz Etel steamed into the
Newport News shipbuilding yard and
went into drycock, where experts be-
gan an examination Of her condition.
Held on board were about seventy
five thirdclass passengers OF the
French liner Floride, refused sdmis-
sion by immigration inspectors on the
ground Of ineligibility. Consuls OF
these passengers will arrange for their
departure TO Ellis Island, \. Y, and
for deportation.
Some Of the passengers from the
Floride. including her commander. left
tonight on the Old Dominion Line
steamer for New York. where they are
due at p. m. tomorrow.
Statements by the Frye's Crew.
When the crew Of the Frye had
been landed they were taken 10 the
custom house, and made sworn state
ments of circumstances attending the
sinking of the ship. on January q, OF
the River Platte. Collector Hamilton
took the statements and prepared a
io:nt summary Of conditions, which the
members Of the crew signed, 20 be
sent TO Washington. Their affidayits
were not made public.
There was no conflict OF testimony
bv the members Of the crew as 20 the
circumstances surrounding the destruc-
ton Of the Frye" said Mr.. Hamilton
tonight. "Al were in line with the
details given by Captain Kiehne, mas
ter Of the ship. who has said that his
ship was blown up, with her cargo o.
wheat for Queenstown, after the crew
had been warned to board the German
cruiser
Two members Of the Frye's crew did
not leave the prlnz Eltel to-day. They