The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1915-03-12
Decision Of Neutrality Board
Awaited ON Problems Aris-
ing from Ships Fate.
NEWPORT NEWS, March H.
The Eitel's commander has inform.
ed the port collector that he does
not intend to inferno, but will
make repairs and continue his voy.
age of adventure.
(BY ASSOCIATED PRHss.)

following statement was issued at the
White House today: "President VIII
son, when asked regarding the sink
ing Of the American sailing ship,
William P. Frye, by the German auxil-
iary cruiser, Prinz Eitel Frederick,
said: The most searching inquiry
will be made and whatever action Is
taken will be based on the result Of
that inquiry"
Officials are awaiting the decision
by the neutrality board Of the prob
leans arising from the destruction Of
the American vessel by the Frederick,
now at Newport News, before deciding
on what action will be taken.
A report is expected soon from the
collector Of the port at Norfold before
whom the Frye's master and crew
were to appear to tell their story Of
the vessels capture and destruction.
Meanwhile an immediate decision by
the board is looked for on the ques-
ton Of how long the German raider
might remain in port and undergo
repairs and what disposition is to be
made Of the more than 300 survivors
Of the various ships she has cap
tured.
Sunk Second American Ship.
Washington, March 1.-THE Brit
ish steamer Charcas, said to have been
one of the Eitel's prizes sunk in the
South Pacific was American owned,
he property of a New York company.
She wan enrouts 10 NV York TO talka
Amerk1H registry when destroyed. -
The neutrality board has made q
report which it is understood recon-.
mends that the Eitel be permitted to
make such repairs as will make he1
'eaworthy, under the supervision Of
the American naval authorities. Il
The commander Of the Eitel requests
it.
The discussion of the sinking Of thu
American vessel, Frye, Is taken t<
foreshadow a strong protest to Ger
many.
The contention of the German com.
mander that there was contraban6
aboard the Frye has been set up ir
other cases, but has never been recog.
nized by the United States as thu
only justification for such action OF
the part Of belligerent.
The fact that the Eitel was com
nanded by German naval officers ant
was under commission of the German
government, and the fact that no live
were lost when the Frye was sunk
have transferred the case from tn
realm of criminal proceedings unde
the federal statute under a possible
charge of piracy, and makes it tn
subject of diplomatic negotiation
with the object Of gaining reparatio,
for the owners, who it is disclaime,
were unfriendly. That the Unite
States will ask damages and an ex
planation from Germany is regarde
as certain.
Eitel Commander Silent.
!, Newport News, March 11.-Ther
is no indication from the commando
Of the Eitel as to whether he wi
inferno or make repairs and attemp
to break through the Gordon of tn
> allies warships off the coast. It
! generally believed, however, that b
!, will inferno.
The crew Of the Frye was release
e from the Eitel late today and brougt
. ashore. Twenty-Five arrived, but tw
s of German nationality remained b,
Q hind and responded to the colors Of th
e fatherland by enlistment.