The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-03-15
E|TEL DECISION
MAY Come TODAY
Board Will Make Final Survey
and Recommend Time
for Repairs.
MAY PAY FOR W. P. FRYE
Envoy Says German Rules Were
Broken When Vessel Was Sunk.
So Owners Have Clear Case.

\ final decision on the time to be al
lowed the German sea raider. PrinZ Eitel
Friedrich. for repairs. may be determined
today n result of the complete OK
animation of the vessel to DO made by a
naval board.
This board was unable to make the
inspection it desired last week. AS the
boilers were still hot. but today will COM
plete its Investigation into the extent
of repairs necessary to make the German
cruiser seaworthy. At the conclusion
OF its examination. It is probable the
board will confer with the German COM
mander and also with experts of the
Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock
Company. which is to do the work.
Report Expected Today.
Final decision as to the time to be al
lowed will rest. however. with the State
department. acting on the advice of the
naval officers making the inspection.
Their report is expected promptly upon
tn" completion Of their examination to-
day.
The general expectation Is that about
three weeks will be allowed the Prinz
EitcI Friedrich. This was the period
named in the preliminary estimates of
the officers Of the warship. Whatever
time is fixed upon as necessary, how
ever will be kept a secret by the
United States government in fairness
to the German vessel in case il de-
cides to resume its sea operations In
stead of informing.
The rule is that a belligerent vessel
under repairs in a neutral port must
leave that port within twentyfour
hours after the completion of repairs.
Were the time 20 be allowed the Prinz
Eitcl Friedrich to be announced. the
British cruisers on watch would know
within twcnty-four hours when the
German vessel would either come out
or intern. As it is. they will have to
maintain their guard off the Virginia
Capes.
Germany May Pay for Frye.
The American case regarding the sinh.
ing of the William i. Frye IL practically
completed. The State Department is
now awaiting a statement from tine own
ers of the Frye. setting forth the value
of their vessel and the amount OF dam
ages they wish TO claim through the in
tercession of this government. When this
claim is received, probably within day
or two. il is proba BILE that the Amerl-
can representations will so forward at
once for the state Department now is
in possession of all the facts concern
ing the sinking of the Frye and the
course TO be pursued has been fully de
Cided upon.
II is more than half expected. however.
that tho next few days will see some
thing coming from the Berlin govern
ment on this question which may make
wholly unnecessary the American repre-
sensations now being framed. The state
ments authorized by Count Won Berns-
torff the German Ambassador here.
pointing out how the sinking OF the Frye
was an act contrary to the German ad-
miralty's announced rules and policy for
this war are taken as practically con-
elusive evidence that the German gov
eminent will repudiate the act of tho
of the PrinZ Eitcl Friedrich
In view of the disposition shown by the
German Ambassador. and also the man
ner in which the German government
has responded in other issues which have
arisen with the United States. it is con-
sidered strongly probable that the Ger
man government will seek 10 disarm all
criticism by itself making the first move
toward a settlement of the Frye case.