New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-15
Will Call for Ample Rep
aration for Sinking
American Ship.
APOLOGY EXPECTED
WITH LITTLE DELAY
Berlin Believed Waiting TO
Profit by Washington Argu-
ment on COntraband.

demand on the German government for
compensatory damages for the destruc-
tion of the hull and cargo of the Ameri-
can ship Williasn i. Frye, sunk by the
German auxiliary cruiser Prinz Eltel
Friedrich on the kaisers birthday, will
be sent by cable tomorrow in note
to Ambassador Gerard. 10 be delivered
to Chancellor Won Bethmann- Hollweg.
Counsellor Lansing spent the greater
part of the day working on the demand
that will be made on Germany. The
note will be couched In the same polite
but firm language rs was the protest
against Germanys war zone declara-
ton.
The report that Germany might an
ticipate the demand of the United
States by making an apology and sug-
costing compensation on basis 10 De
decided in due course in a German prize
court has been current in Washington
for two days, but this Is regarded here
as most unlikely.
The German government Is not un-
mindful, it is understood, that the rep
reservations which the United States
government will make set up the con
tention that tho wheat cargo OF the
Frye was n-contrablnd. The louder
the complaint Of the United States on
this score and the more complete and
convincing the argument that food
stufTs not destined for the consumption
of the army or navy of the enemy
should not be classed as cOntraband
the more sturdily Germany's own argu-
ment that Great Britain's construction
Of the appropriation decree is unten-
able in international law will be sup
ported.
Apology Sure TO Come.
For this reason it is believed Ger
many will withhold its apology until
the American note is sent. There is no
doubt that the apology will be forth
coming, but il ia held that the German
government will be in "a far better tao
teal position by letting the United
States make its contention as 70 the non
contraband character of foodstuds not
specifically destined for the army or
navy Of the enemy. Neither is there any
doubt here that the government viii
give the captain Of the Prinz Eitel
Friedrich a clear bill Of health, hold
ing that he was acting u der the Dec
laration Of London, by which fOOdstufs
consigned TO fortified port are con-
traband, and did not know that an order
issued by the German government soon
after the war began provided that fur
Their proof was necessary.
Incidentally, it IS pointed out. the
American demand for reparatlOn from
Germany must Of itself furnish strong
argument against the purposed block
ade of all German ports.
That Germany does not regard the
publication of Great Britain's orders in
council declaring a blockade Of all Ger
4 hot N urrI
pect the neutral nations to combat IN
diplomatic way the application Of the
blockade regulations is forecast in
her attitude in the Frye case. II rs
firmly believed in Washington that had
Germany possessed the upper hand at
present and sea traffic between the
neutral nations and Germany was un-
interrupted an apology for the conduct
of Captain Thicrrichcns would already
be on the way 20 the United States.
The State Department will make
known to Ambassador Won Bernstorff
tomorrow the decision Of the board of
survey appointed By Secretary Of the
Navy Daniels to determine the exact
duration Of the permissible stay Of the
Prinz Eitel Friedrich a. Newport News.
This decision will be kept secret, and
the date OF the departure Of the raider
will be a matter known only TO the
embassy. the commander and the safe
Department. TINS secrecy is requisite
to afford the ship the necessary protec-
tioh OF her pIlNAett o. Ii'anl"E q ,u'l
ioI ~ VIZ w. pri.i.b and
',',''S Lor 49, sbo ;s
IIcnon Nes'e'' "'''''''1 ''N'
uUe ~ S'"! T.
May Try 10 Escape
As pointed out in The Tribune sew
eral days ago, Commander lhierlchens
may decide 10 make Dreah lot the
open sea under cover o. tio'"y
weather or ~ Vhe oSIKle"S o. IsH'.
SoIi.O lIl@i,ou o. 90. D .i.j,.i,. a.. .La
IiIuh's"' UaIA ic'S "0"'" li.t-l''i'l Wv
chances OF me ueII'a" SNIP te.'l"s
away - ou.u " 80 ~ -
.,,t...r,5 .o-,rsc b,, bo Eeb.bc.,e,
,,oj,Ss cbortoS in tho Cboea-pote Raw
ro,,ion NTH ,bo arrived i'm r,idchanncl
bcf,yee, Caoes Charles and Henri.
Tbeoco sbo could dash avav /, What
ever direction her commander MIGHT
feel IN be the safest.
The Prinz Eitcl Friedrich stands YER,
high out OF the water and presents an
easy target. With the aid OF her
enemy's search}phts and considering
the number of vessels watching for her
her chances Of escape are regarded by
naval officers as exceedingly slim.
Newport News. Va, March 14-Com-
mander Thierichens still delays reply
TO Collector Hami,,oas repeated re-
quest for formal notification Of the
. time he wishes granted for repair Of
the Prinz Eitel Friedrich lie has
estimated that probably three weeks
would be needed, hut has made no
specific request for time.