New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-08
A BLUFF, SAYS
WASHINGTON
Officers to Give Parole and
TO Remain in u. S. Un-
iii War Ends.
MEN TO STAY ON SHIP
Navy Department Will Take
Charge of German Sea Raider
at Newport News To-day.

From . star Corrss pondent Of The Trouns)
Newport News, April 7.-Commander
Max Thierichens, the able pilot Of the
German converted cruiser Prinz Eitel
Friedrich, made formal announcemens
tonight that he would intern his ship
in American waters because the help
from Germany which he said he had
so confidently counted upon did not
come. None but Thierichens knew that
the Fatherand had promised to assist
him, and he guarded the fact tenacious
ly Daily he had looked for aid and at
the last moment to-day, when he real
lied il was not forthcoming, he became
sad and disappointed man.
The CHEEKY smile that hitherto had
lighted up his ruddy face when he re-
ceived the port official was missing
this evening. when Collector Hamilton
went aboard his ship. His hand grasp
was just as strong and his greeting
Just as cordial, but he showed plainly
by voice and manner his knowledge OF
the fact that the opportunity OF lite-
time had slipped beyond his reach.
Collector Hamilton. who had won the
confidence of Thierichens from the
start a month ago, had arrived to tell
him that mis- hour had come. The time
was at hand for him to leave his neu-
tral haven or bind himself TO stay until
the war abroad had ceased. The Ger
man knew he had until midnight TO
get unoer way, but he did not know
tkat the hour Of in the morning OF
April 3 had been set for him to be
beyond the neutral limit Of three miles.
Mr. Hamilton met Thlerichens on deck
and was invited within. Hardly had
the saloon door closed upon them
when the collector reached into his
pocket for an official paper, which 1t
Glanced was not delivered.
Seal of German Navy.
The Eitel's commander had similar
document typewriter in English, ana
fastened on the back of its envelope by
n large seal of the imperial navy.
"Mr. Collector" said Thierichens, II
am glad to see you aboard my ship, but
| am sorry indeed 10 say that | must
deliver to you this letter. | had hoped
to the last for better plans. VIII you
please read it,
The collector. who, like the EiteFs
master. believed the raider would try
for the open sea. seemed to share the
feeling of disappointment so apparent
in the German. Mr.. Hamilton carefully
avoided the seal but ripped the letter
omen with his knife. and read that the
Fiteps commander gave official notice
of his intention to intern. The note
follows:
"ColIector of Customs, Norfolk Va.
"Sir: / inform you | intend TO In
terne :. Vi. 5. PrinZ Eitel Friedrich.
The relief | expected appears not TO
arrive in time, so the number and force
of the enemy cruisers watching the en-
trance of the bay makes 10 me impos-
sible the dash for the open sea WIN
any hope of success. J have decided
moi 70 deliver crew and ship TO the
fruitiess and certain destruction.
Being obliged for The cOurtesies
shown by all United States authori-
ties, ] am expecting your order.
have sent the same information to
Rear Admiral Helm, L. 5. S. Alabama
Respectfully.
"THIERICHENS. Commandant."
When he had finished reading tho
letter. the collector said: 80 you
have been forced to intern, commander.
| am sorry you feel disappointed"
81 thank you, Mr.. Collector, for the
! have received at this
port. wish my plans could have been
otherwise. Personally, | wanted TO 20
out. intended 70 go out, until
found the aid I expected could not
come For myself | do not care, but
| must care for my men. They should
not be sent out against such over
whelmng power Of the enemy"
The meeting was brief, and as the
collector hurried away the youthful
sea fighter returned to his room, leav-
ing an order that he was not 70 be dis
turbed unless sought by some official
of the United States.
II is said that no one on board the
Eitel knew tonight of her commanders
decision 20 intern Officers and crew
will be informed Of it tomorrow, when
the formalties OF internment will be-
gin.
The object Of Collector Hamilton's
visit tonight 20 the Eitel was not 10
rec We the commanders official notice
Of nternment. but to inform him that
ne must be beyond the capes by
a. m. tomorrow
The letter Of Thierichens came as a
surprise In the note which he dld not
deliver the Collector said:
by direction OF my department,
have to advise you that il the Prinzz
Eitel Friedrich departs from this port
by u o'clock midnight of this day,
April 7, 1915. which is the time limit
prescribed by the government OF the
United States in which she must de-
mart. or oth erwse be under the neces-
sitv of accepting internment within
American jurisdiction during the con-
tinuance OF the war in which your
country is now engaged, It will be
nee, ssary for her to depart from the
territorial waters Of the United States
by a. NJ, April s, 1915. This is inn
rerative."
Ill-Informed Comment.
The visit Of the Prinz Litel Friedrich
20 these waters and the secrecy attend
ing the transactions OF her soioprn .