The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-03-13
GERMAN CAPTAIN
TELLS OF TRIP
CAPTAIN THIERICHENs SUBMITS
TO INTERVIEW AND TELLS
STORY
Says He Had Successful Trip and Has
Not Lost a Man Since Leaving
Using Tau.

NEWSPORT NEWS. Va March l2.
Captain Max Thierichens. cOmmEnd-
cr OF the German converted cruiser
Prinz Eitel Friedrich today broke his
seal OF silence for the first time since
ne sought haven In this port Wednes-
day. and told something OF his four
months rOvinss as commerce
raider.
Il was never interviewed" ." the cap
tain said, smilingly. as he sat in his
cabin OF the Friedrich in drydOck, add
ing that he had been too busy 20 talk.
The commander was asked IL MS
historic raid OF the seas was over
Fest weiter,' ne exclaimed in Ger
man. Then he explained in English,
emphSsizing with his fist upon the Ia
bic, we haven't given it up by a
long way. We had luck and We shall
have more. hope.
As you know" he continued. we
Cruised Tor days without seeing
thing OF Chile. our coal was almost
zone. We we're really In bad way.
Ihsn one Gay We sighted a saiIfnE
snip. flying no flag. 4 squad went
hhoard and demanded that she show
her colors. She admitted that she was
the French ship Jean
When We read the signal wig
wagged back b. our boarding crew, Il
was as ~ q roast pigeon were to fly
INTO the mouth OF a starving man.
French ship Jean came the message
Loaded with best Cardif coal -.
To Easter Island.
but that wasn't all. There was
heavy sea running. and We didn't dare
come alongside without risking
smashing both hulls So / gave or
ders that We sail her To the nearest
place found an ideal place called
Easter Island. on an atlas. Our crew
took her over. but later I offered the
Ta.n 20 hi
snip under our orders. with pay, and
they accepted
But this was too slow for US so We
put back . chain and towcd her When
We we're under way again we sighted
another ship We uftde her out as
the English boat kildalton aud took
atter her with our tOwline jerking
along behind We soon finished her
and then proceeded Till We reached
Easter island with our prizc. We
landed and when We found there was
no particular danger We rested and
gulirlly coaled W was like feeding
The captain explained that before
he landed the crews Of the Jean and
Llr klldaltOn. De asceTtained that All
Engli-hman's yacht vas In the har.
n3l. ana that word could easily be
taken FOR their relief
Water Greatest Need.
Eiiel felt In her long journey. the com
mand"r said, was water because u
the water shortage. he said. the Eitel
anchored iu tho rain belt near Perm
ambuco 1nd spread 9ll sails-not per
pendicularly. but haf-and waited. and
IN iufiyelght hours the rains descend.
ed nrd the tanks we're hllad
We were out OF the track of liners a"
Lh' captain continued and could
hardly believe it when We saw Tho
French steam-h Floride appearing
We went far south OF the Horn.
ho explained. FOR Do was after TIE
battles on the coast and We we're
afraid Of the straits. Then we we're
up in the tropics shooting sharks"
Despite the changes OF weather
and the hazards 0f the cruise" fho
cummander added aa the interview
closed. W. have not lost "a single life
and the crew We have today. BE- the
same 10 man a. that which left
IsinE Tau many months ago. and they
are ready fO take another chance"