Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-31
.bATTLESH|P IN POSITION
( TO ENFORCE NEUTRALITY
Alabama Arrives in Hampton Roads
and Commands Channel
10 Sea.
LONG CONFERENCES is HELD
Rear-.Admirals Beatty and Helm and
Collector Hamilton Discuss Situa-
ton Brought About by Presence OF
German Cruiser and Allied Fleet.

NEWPORT NEWS. VA. March 30
Enforcement OF neutrality Of the United
States In the port OF Norfolk and New
3 port News was the subject OF n pro-
tracted conference at the Norfolk Navy
Yard late to-day. following the arrival
In Hampton Roads of the battieship
Alabama. which took u commanding
position in The channel 10 the and
remained there tonight taking on am
munition and supplies.
Participating in the conference were
Rear-Admiral Beatty. commander OF
the Norfolk Navy Yard; Rcar-Admirai
Helm, commander OF the reserve At
lantic Fleet. who arrived on the Ala
hama. and Norman r. Hamilton, col
iector OF customs for the pet OF Nor
folk and Newport News. while the con-
ference at the navy ward was in prog
ress, Captain Max Thericiens COM
mandcr Of the German converted cruiser
Prinz Eitel friedrich, SIN in dock here
was closetcd with deputy customs ofi-
Gals in the Newport News Office.
At the conclusion of the conference
At the Norfolk Navy Yard, government
officials refused tp discuss it.
ADMITTED THAT PRESENCE
OF WARSHIP Is DEMANDED
Primarily, it was learned, the Ala
bama came to Hampton Roads to guard
the neutrality interests OF the United
States between German man ofwar
within an American port ana = fleet OF
warships OF the European allies which
is lowering off the Virginia Cnpes. That
the situation thus presented demanded
tho presence OF Il warship of tho United
States was generally admitted.
Reports that allied warships which
have been off the capes since the Ger
man commerce raider arrived here had
vcntured within the throe-inle limit
and that merchant ships had furnished
them with supplies. had.bcen circulated
here for several days before tho send
ing of the Alabama. AS to merchant
ships. II was said that they had taken
deck loads OF coal after filling their
bunters. ana taking on other cargo.
II have investigated thorough one
case in which a merchant ship was re-
ported to have taken coal 10 foreign
warship off the CapeS. and found il not
true" said Collector Hamilton tonight
This ship may have delivered TO YES
sells at sea coal which She took on board
at some English port. later arrived at
Newport News ana departed with a full
cargo of grain. She took from here 200
tons OF coal. merely enough for ships
use. a portion OF this may have been
placed OH her decks. this for the reason
only, however. that the ship desired
all space for cargo purposes
Henry r. Holmes, agent OF British
shipping interests here. declared that he
had absolute knowledge that no mer-
chah' snip h'd taken !uel or supplies
" any OF me WarShlps' laRlhS deck
1oaos OF coal MI homes .said, was
necessary on account OF extra heavy
'''i oe9 o"''''" LOT 'o'c'sh ports
COMMANDER TlIIERICH2NS
WILL NOT TALK OF VISIT
Commander Thierichens would NOT
TALK about his ylsi, 10 the customs oo,
cials He returned late In the afternoon
10 the Eitcl Friedrich. which still IS
moorcd TO her dock in tho sh;rvnrds In
Official quarters the opinion stiu ur,-
walls Tint the German raider v.,,l ,nrco
the Emitted states rovcrn,pcn, 70 i,t.n