Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-27
RA|D|NG CAREER
OF CRUISER ENDS
Kronprinz Wilhelm Is Interned
by Commander for Remain
der of War.
HE GIVES FORMAL NOTICE
Action Comes After Apparent
Preparations for Dash to
Open Sea.
|E GIVES FORMAL NOTICE

destroying cruise. Commander Thier-
feider, OF the German auxiliary cruiser
kronprinz Wilhelm, late to-day notified
Collector of the Port Norman r. Hamil-
ton that he would intern his vessel.
The collector at once informed AS
sistant Secretary OF the Treasury
Andrew ]. Peters by long distance tele-
phone and the notice of internment
was first given official announcement
by Mr.. Peters
Commander Thierfelder. amplifying
verbally his brief notice of the inform
ment to Collector Hamilton, said 1t
would have been his own choice to have
gone out, and that 1t had been his
hope and expectation to do SO until II
became evident that. owing to the con-
tinued serious illness Of more than
sixty Of his crew. It would be impossi-
BILE for him to do so.
NO PROSPECT FOR EARLY
RECOVERY OF Ills MEN
Commander Thierfelder said he had
used all haste possible to make his ship
ready to resume her work at sea, and
had this morning begun taking coal,
but his surgeons. after n conference
this afternoon. Informed him there was
no prospect Of the early recovery Of the
remaining sixty sick men, and that it
could not be told how much longer
they would have TO be kept In the hos
pital on shipboard. Commander Th!cr-
fielder said that, in view of this condi-
. t., 4. IT,.
put to sea, and, further. In view OF his
inability TO get more men because IL
was impossible under the laws OF ma
t!ons for him to recruit German
sailors on American soil to make UP
his necessary crew complement, he was
forced 10 intern.
Commander Thierteldcr had until
midnight April 20 In which finally to
depart from this port, but said that
when II became SO plainly evident late
to-day that he would not have enough
we'll men 10 carry him out. then no
decided he did not wish TO hold up the
commerce of an American port unneces-
sariiy. and gave Collector Hamilton his
official notice of internmcnt.
The kronprinz Wilhelm will likely be
interned In Norfolk, where the Prinz
Eitel Friedrich IS now tied up
VESSEL TAKES on BOARD
COAI. AND WATER SUPPLY
1t is quite likely that the Kronprinz
will not move TO Norfolk, however.
until Wednesday. She late to-day con-
c!udcd the taking aboard of 1000 tons
Of coal. and tomorrow will take aboard
probably 500 tons Of water IT is
necessary for her to take water in
order TO get steam TO proceed to Nor
folk. The commander also probably
VIII wish to take on two weeks sup
piles and provisions. which have been
ordered here. before proceeding to Nor
folk. This Will likely take until We'd
nesday forenoon.
The navy tug Rocket moved TO a
position by the Wilhelm at the coal
pier. and navy patrol will be con-
tinued by her until she is removed to
Norfolk. II the 'Kronprinz had not in
termed. it would have been necessary
for Collector Hamilton to have held up
Tor forty-eight hours the depart,lre OF
all vessels flying the flag Of any nation
with which Germany is now at war
This In order to give the Wilhelm full
twenty-four hours In which to depart
from tho territorial waters of the
United States. The Kronprinz Wilhelm
could not depart within twenty-four
hours OF the departure of any vessel
hEins the nag OF nation with which
Germany Is at war. and she would
nave neen entitled to n clear twenty
four hours in which to get out. For
this reason. the departure Of belllgerent
merchant vessels would have been hold
up for fortyeight hours.
If the Wilhelm had not informed chit,
% tn
o'clock midnight April 2S, and would
have continued until April 80 midnirbt
at which time the Kronprinz would
necessarily have to have heen ont
of this port or forcibly interned.
GOVERNMENTS FINAL WORD
DELIVERED A WEEK AGO
Collector Hamilton n week ago de-
livered to the commander of the VIII
helm the governments final conclusions
rs to the time limit allowed the Kron
prinz Wilhelm for the making of her
repairs and her departure from the ter
ritorial waters of the United States.
The Wilhelm, formerly n North Ger
man Lloyd passenger liner plying be-
tween New York and Bremen, arrived
hero on Sunday, April II, after spend-
ing eight months in the South Seas.
Several times she was reported de-
stroyed. but she eluded many hostile
warships which sought her and de-
stroyed thirteen merchant vessels OF
the allied enemies OF Germany. and ono
neutral vessel, Norwegian bark. The
commander claimed that vessel carried
contraband
1t was just few days after the
Prinz Eitcl had been interned that the
great drab-painted ship appeared sud-
denly In Hampton Roads and asked
for fuel and supplies. She had but
twenty-five tons Of coal in her bunkers,
and her provisions were short
In her dash from mid-Atlantic TO
Cape Henry, the Wilhelm evaded sew
erai foreign warships which had been
on hn