The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-03-17
AN UNFRIENDLY ACT
SINKING Of AMtRICAN SHIP MUST
Be ATONtD FOR
RAIDER Sank NEUTRAL

Washington Stirred by Announce
ment Of German Raider That in 1t:
Couse it Sent to the Bottom al
American Owned Ship-Protes
Likely.
Arrival Of the German convertei
cruiser Prinz Eitel Friedrich at New
port News, with the announcement
that during her six months cruise a:
a commerce raider, she had sent K
the bottom one American owned YES
J sci, which few the flag of the United
States, profoundly stirred oicia
Washington.
In the absence of detailed story
Of the sinking of the American ship
the William P. Frye, off the coast ol
South America, judgment was with
held, but there was no attempt tc
deny the seriousness of the incident
and it was conceded that on its face
it bore the appearance Of an un.
frien ily act on the part of German
ship of war, which must result in
diplomatic negotiations with the Ger.
man government.
Such information as had come to
official ears Wednesday night was in
substance that the Frye was blown
up because the commander of the
Prinz Eitel held her cargo Of wheat
to be contraband. It was pointed
out that wheat is not contraband un-
less consigned to a belligerent or
some agent of such government. The
Frye's manifest showed her bound
for Queenstown "for ORDERS" Of
ficials explained that this declaration
in the manifest was lot unusual and
added that circumstances so far
pointed to the fact that the Frye was
not subject to seizure or destruction.
The master, officers and crew of
the Frye will appear in Norfolk be-
fore Collector Of Customs Hamilton,
and will be questioned at length
about circumstances of the ships de-
parture from Seattle last November
and Of her capture and destruction.
Facts gathered will be forwarded to
Washington, and, If necessary, the
state department will conduct an in
quiry Of it's own and will not under
take negotiations with Germany until
it's case is clear Just what demands
might be made upon Germany if the
blowing up of the Frye were consid-
cred an unfriendly act, were not dis
closed Wednesday night. 1t was un-
derstood, however, that the United
States probably would seek the usual
honorable amends under internation-
al law as well as reparation for the
owners.
The Prinz E;tel undoubtedly will
be interned in Hampton Roads un-
less her commander is willing to take
chance with the allies ships with
her general condition far from sea-
worthy.
Collector Hamilton has ccrved the
customary notice that the Eitel must
sail within forty-cight hours or in
tern, or give reasons for a longer
stay which will be satisfactory to
Washington. If her commander de-
sires to make repairs, additional time
can be allowed but in view Of pre-
liminary report by experts that at
least several months would be re-
quired to fit her for active sea SER
vice, it was generally believed that
the only course open foi her is to in
tern.
Conditions on the cruise- with the
survivors of the ships she has cap
tured aboard for weeks past were
said Wednesday night to lie far from
good, and it is probable that all pos
sible will be done to arrange for i'm
mediate removal o. those en- the ship.
All males of belligerent nations
aboard her not subject to military
service probably will be put in charge
Of consular representatives OF .helr
respective countries. If the Eitel in
terms all the survivors will be releas-
ed automatically.
Delicate problems Of international
law requiring immediate decision
arising out Of the cruisers arrival
were the subject of several confer
ences between state and navy depart
ment officials. Decision on the vari-
Gus points is expected.
Secretary Daniels Transmitted The
reports he received to the neutrality
board for decision on the following
points:
How long the vessel ray remain In
port to undergo repairs?
What disposition shall be made OF
the survivors OF the various ships
captured by the Prinz Eitel?
What legal proceedings, If any.
shall be entered against the Prinz
Eitel and her officers for sinking the
American steamer Frye?
The extent OF the Eitel Friedrich's
repairs and the length Of her So
journ in port unless she interns will
be determined after an investigation
by an American naval constructor.
Officers and crew Of the Prinz Eitel
will be interned. II the vessel itself Is
interned. They may be given paroles
on promise not to participate in the
war again. The owners T the Frye
took out a policy for s11,550 with
the government war risk insurance
bureau last October, and this may
play part in determining her status
as carrier Of cargo not subject to
seizure. The Frye's policy contained
this clause:
"Warranted to the best Of the
knowledge and belief Of the Insured,
no shipment of absolute cortraband
will be loaded and that no condition.
al contra hand will be loaded when ar
ticles constituting suct conditional
contraband are destined for the use
OF the armed forces Of a overnment
department of a belligerent state. Or
are consigned to the authorities OF a
belligerent state, or to a. contractor
established in belligerent country
who as master Of common knowledge
supplies articles of this kind to bel
ligerent state or are consigned TO a
fortified place belonging to bellis-
erent or place serving as a base for
added. mot French cooking, but all
one could ask"
1--WE are awaiting Admiralty or
ders." was the officers resnonse to
the suggestion that he might not
leave Immediately. "Thev are COM
ing from Perrin by way Of the Wash