The Washington times., 1915-03-12
Berlin Expected to Pay
For Sinking of Frye and
Punish EitePS Captain

For Sinking of Frye and
Punish Eitel's Captain
Great activity in the investigation of
the facts relative to the sinking Of the
American merchant vessel, William p.
Frye. by the German auxiliary cruiser
Prinz Eitel Friedrich, prevailed here to-
day among Government officials.
This activity emphasizes anew the
fact that the Administration Is deter
mined to go to the bottom of the 1acts
and to obtain satisfaction for the sink
ing of the vessel and its cargo OF gram.
The neutrality questions surrounGlns
the entrance of the Prinz Eitel frieu-
rich into Hampton Roads shave become
comparatively simple in comparison
with the Frye case. Unless the German
government pays for the vessel ana
cargo and offers an apology TO tnls Gun st
ernment ii is impossible to see Jusl
where the matter will end, althoueh
there Is a general feeling that Ger
many will not prove obdurate ana that
she will take a course ca!culateu 10
satisfy this Government and American
public sentiment.
Demands Testimony of Crew.
Otherwise, there would be long
series of diplomatic exchanges ana frlc-
tion of an unpleasant sort might de-
velop.
President Wilson early this morning
had a conference with Acting secretary
Peters of the Treasury Departmeht.
The President was acquainted WIN the
late st developments as Mr.. Peters mao
them Collector Hamilton has obtalneo
the statement of Captain Thler,chen ot
the Eitel Friedrich. but the frcsideht
has directed that the testimony OF the
crew also be obtained.
Collector Hamilton, therefore, Is going
ahead with the business of gett'ng .hc
testimony of the crew regarding the
sinking of the Frye.
to Washington. He may arrive tomor-
row He will make a statement UNDER
oath to Acting Secretary Peters anu
Counselor Lansing, OF the state Depart
ment. ,
All this procedure of obtaining test-
mony is in pursuance OF the policy an
bounced by President Wilson yesterday
when ne said there would be tuli
inquiry and .he action taken would &c
based on the results of the inquiry.
Preliminary reports placed in the
hands of President Wilson declare the
sinking of the Frye was entirely with
out justification.
Expects Eitel To Intern.
The Government Investigation of the
FRYE case is but one phase of the COM
plications which have been stirred up
by the arrival in an American port of
the Eitel Friedrich.
Acting Secretary Peters today, a1teT
talking with the President expressed
the belief that the Eitel Fr edrich
would intern. He said the navy officials
had informed 1.-The Treasury Department
that the. vessel was in badF shape, She
is much racked from her seven months
chase at sea, and is in no condition to
go to sea again without extensive re-
pairs. Consequently. her inrnmn Is
looked for despite statements OF her
captain that she will sail again.
The Eitel Friedrich is now in the
dry dock Of the Newport News Ship
building and Drydock Company. The
captain insists he VIII not intern,
but it is recognized here that the de-
cisior in this matter Will rest with
the German government.
1t is considered unlikely here that
the German government will permit It's
vessel to be usclessly destroyed by a
superior force.
Boy-Ed At Newport News.
Captain Boy-Ed. the German mill
tary attache is at Newport News and
is looking into the facts relative to
the Frye case.
The way out of the Frye case that
would give complete satisfaction here
would be to have the German govern
ment pay for the vessel and cargo. Of
fer it's regrets and then visit such
punishment by court-martial on C6Rs
tain ThieriChen as it may see fit
suggest from the owner of the Frye,
that Captain ThieriChen be held s a
pirate. will not be followed by this
Government.
One of the remarkable phases of
the case is that the Eitcl Friedrich
should have entered an American port
after sinking an American vessel.
Won't Give Up Frye's Papers.
Another phase of it is that the Ger
man copmander has refused to give
up the papers of the Frye to Collector
Hamilton. lie contends these papers
are necessary to defend his action.
Captain Kiehnc. of The Frye. is en-
gagged today in paving off his crew
This is understood to mean that the
crew will not be brought to Washing
ton, and that they have given full testi-
mony in depositiOns. Captain Kiehne
has reported to Assistant Secretary OF
the Treasury Peters by telephone, and
has advised him that full report is
on the way.
The report by Captain Thierchens, as
made to 'olleCtor Hamilton, is also on
the way to Washington. 1t is under
stood to be only perfunctOry state
ment setting forth his need for repairs
and giving the nautical bearings and
date of the sinking OF the Frye.
News Welcome To L. S.
Dispatches from Amsterdam purport-
ing to represent the feeling at Berlin
over the Frye case indicate that the
German government considers the sink
ing of the Frye the act of an cxcitabIe
commander. These dis patches furtEeI
indicate that Berlin Will not defend the
act.
This news, if confirmed, woulI Trovo
welcome to the American Government
which views the sinking Of the Frye as
iudefcns BILE. 1t tends 10 bear ou: what
has been the belief of ofrc'ai5 here from
the beginning, that for various reasons
the German government Will prefer not
II make an issue of he Frye case, but
VIII hasten to make amends.
Il is believed here that the assumption
OF the German captain that wheat wuI
contraband ami that he was justified II
sinking the vessel is cmbarrass ng t
the Berlin government, in that the Frye
was sunk before the British took steps
TO head on foodstuffs from Germany anC
can be cited by the Britsh in justifica
of tl,ai III ~,