The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-03
COaled and PrOvisioned. the Prinz Eitel Has But a Few Short Hours to Leave Port
EVERY OFFICER AND
 MAN ON BOARD AND
 SITUATION Is TENSE
United States Officials De cline to Discuss Subject and Intended Movement of Cruiser a Mystery

Newport News. April 2.-Whether fhe German merchant raider Prinz EiteI Friedrich will put to and brave the danger of attack from fleet of aIIied warships off the Virginia cspes or will submit to internment by the United States tonight remained s mystery.
 If her orders are to break for the epen sea the Eftel Friedrich is well prepared Her bunkers are filled with coal; her storehouse has been replen- fshed; her machinery has been re- paired and keyed up to the maximnns strength; her officers and crew are resigned to any fate and waiting for the word.
 When the Eitel had finished taking on supplies that originally were to have been delivered Sunday, two United States tugs stood guard at her stern. one represent ing the navy from the Norfolk navy yard and the other representing the army from Fortress Monroe. Coast artillery men patrolled her pier and the elements were propitious for a dash through rain and darkness in an attempt to elude the British and French battleships which lay in wait off the Virginia capes.
 Situation Tense
 Late in the day the situation was tense. Every officer and sailor was on board. Some were permitted to receive friends <l,< w>;o rtat of ha. lieved they were going to sea was evil dent Just when they would be ordered 10 go. fhcy claisneu not lo knea, Dur all asserted there was little time left for the vessel to remain in American waters unless she should srbrnit to lnternment.
 Another circumstance indicating the un- certainty of the situation was the pres ence on board the Eitel late today of two German youths, who are seeking to en- list in the German navy. They were Quartz Beyer and Hans Roth who came to Newport News from Germany few months ago. They applied for enlistment s week ago and Captain Thierichens or dered them to report today. When asked about them Captain Thierichens said he had not decided what to do because he was not certain what would be done about his ship. The boys. however, were on hand ready to enlist should Comman- der Thierichens say the word.
 Officials Silent
 Government officials who conferred with the German commander late today de- clined to discuss the status Of the ship. Collector Hamilton said he had talked to the commander on official business. Col. Ira r. Haynes, commandant at Fort ress Monroe. who was aboard the yes sol, would not discuss his mission at all. The colonel presented to Commander Thierichens Jacob M. Dickinson, former Secretary of War. Senator T. s. Mar tin of Virginia and Mayor w. R. Mayo of Norfolk. also were visitors aboard the Eitel.
 American submarines tonight were re- ported to be keeping watch at the en- trance to the capes while the battleship Alabama still was at anchor in Hampton Roads. At 10 o'clock launch from the Alabama steamed into the James river and to the Prinz Eiters pier.
 Reports that two more British warships had Joined the foreign fleet off the capes could not be verified here. Late today, however, one British warship was seen from an incoming merchant ship, lying about five miles out and directly south of the ship lane.