The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-14
We Got In and We Can Get Out,v Declares Com mander of German Raider Kronprinz Wilhelm
FORMALLY ASKS TIME TO REPAIR
 HIS SHIP HERE
Believed Three Weeks Will Be Maximum Limit AL lowed by United States for Ships Stay in Port

Newport News. Va, April I3.--Lieu- tenant Captin Thierfelder, commander of the German converted cruiser kron- prinx Wilhelm. delivered to Collector of Customs Hamilton late today formal request for time to repair his ship in this port.
 The request was made in letters which were forwarded 10 the Secretary of the Treasury and their contents were not di- vulged, while it was understood the Ger man commander asked for three weeks as maximum. He stated he would make every effort to complete temporary re- pairs and leave port before that time.
 It was learned that the stipulatons re- lated only to temporary repairs. as a thorough overhauling of the Wilhelm would require months
 Captain Thierfeder did not request coal and provisions. explaining that he would do this when the Washington government has decided how long he may remain in neutral waters. It is understood his re- quest included a petition for permission to go into dry dock immediately Until this is granted the merchant raider must remain at anchor in the James river tnofficially the captain of the I<ronprinz Wilhelm urged that action regarding his ship be expedited and in this connection asked the state department through the German embassy to have the naval board make an examination at once.
 Repairs Needed
 The shipyard experts estimates of necessary repairs were included in the saptain's letters to the seuretarx, ur the Treasury. One letter. it is understood, relates to repairs to machinery and the other to the exterior plates which have been warped by coaling at sea and ram ming allied merchant ships. While opinion prevails here that the Wilhelm never will leave this port until the close of the war. Commander Thier- fielder insists that the merchant raider must return to the high seas even if she is forced to run the gauntlet of allied warships off the capes.
 We must get out he said again to- day. We got in and we can get out The fact that warships of the enemy are waiting for us must not deter us They might sink us. but that has no fears for me-.
 Dr. Joseph Goldberger of Washington, at the request of Surgeon General Rupert Blue of the bureau of public health serv- ice, today examined the beriberi patients aboard ship. Few opportunities have been afforded the United States health au- thorities to study this disease Dr. Gold berger found about 95 cases. several hav- ing improved considerably slnce Sunday. He returned to Washington tonight with his observations
 Warships Sighted
 One French warship and one British cruiser were sighted today eff the Vir- sinia capes by pilots who brought ships into port. The French warship had four tunnels and was believed to be the Condo. She was lying about five miles out Later in the day British cruiser, believed to be the converted Caronia. was sighted. The pilots brought a report they received from merchantmen that the British knew the kronprinz Wilhelm had steamed north from the equator several weeks ago and that she was believed to be in American waters The pilots declared that vigilance outside the capes seemed to be greater for outgoing than for incoming vessels One of them said an Italian vessel which he recently piloted from this port was boarded by officers from a British war ship as she passed out of the three-mile limit. The Italian ship. he said, bore a resemblance to the Eitel Friedrich and was boarded for that reason.