The Sentinel=record., 1915-03-11

titel Friedrich a. Newport Ncws with the announcement that during her six months securing of the seas as commerce raider she had sent to the bottom one vessel which was Amerl- cairowned and flew the flag of the United States profoundly stirred off, cial Washington today.
 In the absence of detailed story Of the sinking of the American ship, William P. Frye, off the coast oi south America, judgment was with held, but there was no attempt to deny the seriousness of the incident and it was conceded that on it's face it bore the appearance of an unlriendly act upon the part of q German ship of war which must result in diplo. matte negotiations with the German government
 such information as had come to of. ficial ears tonight at Newport News was in substance that the Frye was blown mp because the commander of the Eitel held her cargo of wheat to be contraband. It was pointed out that wheat was not contraband unless consigned to a belligerent government or some agent of such government. The Fryes manifest showed her bound for Queenstown for orders Officials explained that this declara, | ton in the manifest was not unusual and added that circumstances so far | pointed to the fact that the Frye, as vessel of a neutral nation engaged
 in a legitimate voyage, was not sub | iect to seizure or destruction.
 The officers and crew of the Frye will appear tomorrow in Norfolk be- fore Collector of Customs Hamilton
 and will be questioned
 Facts gathered from these sources will be forwarded to Washington and
 if necessary the state department will
 conduct an inquiry of it's own and will
 not undertake negotiations with Ger
 many until it's case is clear
 Just what demands might be made
 upon Germany if the blowing up of
 the Frye were considered an un- | friendly act were not disclosed to-
 night. It was understood, however.
 that he United States probably would
 seek the usual honorable amends un-
 der international law as well as rep
 aration for the owners.
 Collector Hamilton has served the customary notice that the Eitel must sail within 24 hours or intern or give reasons for a longer stay which will
 be satisfactory to Washington As her commander desires to make re pairs, additional time can be allowed but in view of a preliminary report by experts who examined the cruiser today that at least several months l will be required 10 get her ready for sea service it generally was believed that the only course open for her was to be interned and no unusual precau- tons were taken tonight to prevent 1 her leaving American waters.
 Most of the survivors of the cap. | tured ships were bound for South American ports when captured and it is said that the consuls will have them transferred to New York and sent on to their original destinations If tue Eitel interns all the survivors will be automatically released Delicate problems of international law requiring immediate decision aris- ing out of the cruisers arrival were | the subject of several conferences | between officials of the state and navy departments. A decision on the l various points is expected tomorrow
 Secretary Daniels transmitted the l reports he received to the neutrality i board for a decision on the following | points:
 How long the vessel may remain in port to undergo repairs.
 What disposition shall be made Of | the survivors of the various ships | captured by the Prinz Eitel.
 What legal proceedings, if any, shall be entered against the Prinz | Eitel and her officers for the sinking | of the American ship Frye,
 Officers and crew of the Prinz | EHel will be interned for the war by l the United States government if the | vessel itself is interned. They may be given paroles on promise not to participate in the war again.
 The owners Of the destroyed ship Frye took out policy for $11,550 | with the government war risk insur- ance bureau last October and this l may play a part in determining the status as a carrier of cargo not sub iect 70 seizure, The Frye's policy contained this clause:
 Warranted to the best of the knowledge and belief of the insured no shipment of absolute contraband will be loaded and that no condition al contraband will be loaded when the | articles constituting such conditional contraband are destined for the use of the armed forces or of a govern | ment department of belligerent state, or are consigned 10 the author ties of a belligerent state or to con- | tractor established in a beligerent country who as a matter of common | judgment supplies articles of this kind to a belligerent state or are con