Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-04-08
Prepare to Intern

Arrangements for actual internment
Of the Eitel were made at a conference
between Rear Admiral Beatty, COM
mandant of the Norfolk navy yard,
Rear Admiral Helm Of the battleship
Alabama and Collector Hamilton.
When the Eitel is taken to the navy
yard tomorrow, the breech blocks of
her guns will be removed and the con-
nection rods of her engines detached.
AS Collector Hamilton read the an
nouncement by Capt. Thierichiens
spirit Of gloom seemed to pervade the
commanders cabin and spread all over
the ship. officers and crew were down.
cast.
Capt. Thierchiens himself declared
that he was heartbroken to be compell-
ed to resort to such a step. Officially he
stated that he had never intended to
intern If 1t were possible to prevent it;
that he had hoped for the arrival of
German forces to do battle with the
British and French warships off the
American coast and thus clear the way
for his return to the open sea.
Thoughts for His Men
II would like to have gone to sea
myself" he declared. Il would not
hesitate to go, but had to think first
Of my men,
Collector Hamilton dispatched the
notice to Washington and informed
Rear Admiral Beatty. The latter no
titled Rear Admiral Helm on board
the battleship Alabama. which was
guarding the channel to the sea, to
prevent departure Of the Eitel after
midnight tonight.
Capt. Thierchens' action came at
the close Of day filled with mixed
developments. Up to the last few hours
Of grace, he had not said a word to
Washington officials about internment.
He had coaled and provisioned his
ship. Repairs to her boilers had been
made and everything was prepared for
a dash to sea.
Decision March 20
The decision Of the Washington govern
ment as to the length Of time extended
the Eitel Friedrich to remain in Ameri-
can neutral waters was reached March 20.
From these terms the government never
deviated. They were delivered to Capt.
Thirchens on that date in a letter written
by Collector of Customs Hamilton, which
said:
'The department of state has received
from the navy department the report of
the board of naval officers who made an
examination of S. NJ. S. Prinz Eitel Fried
rich with view to escertaining the re-
pairs necessary to put the vessel in
thoroughly seaworthy condition and from
this report it appears that the time re-
quired for these repairs will be a pc
Rod of IA working days. The govern
ment has concluded, therefore, that S. NJ.
5. Prinz Eitel Friedrich will be allowed
until midnight OF the close of the siXtd
day OF April next to complete her re-
pairs and that she will be allowed 2,
hours in addition or until midnight of the
seventh day of April to leave the terri
torial waters of the United States. or.
railing this, that she will be under the ne
cessity OF accepting internment within
American jurisdiction during the contin-
uance OF the wars in which your mother
country is now engaged
HariItonS Letter
The letter which Collector Hamilton
carried to the German commander TO-
night read:
BY decision of my department I have
TO advise you that if the Prinz Elite,
Friedrich departs from this port by l,
CLOCK midnight of this day, April 7. 1915.
which is the time limit prescribed nv tha
government of the United States in
which she must depart or otherwise he
under the necessity of accepting intern
ment within American jurisdiction dur;n.
the continuance of the wars in which
your mother country is now engaged. i.
Will be necessary for her to depart from,
the territorial waters Of the United States
by A. M. o'clock April s, 1915"
naval patrol of Newport News shin
yard where the Eitel still is moored, con-
tinued tonight and will remain in force
until the cruiser is taken to the Norfol,1
navy yard.