Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-04-01
PURPOSE Of E|TEL
STILL A MYSTERY
Lively Interest in Washing
ton Concerning Her
Intentions
AWAITS FOG OR RAIN


Washington, April Interest in
me case of the Prinz Eitel Friedrich
is at fever heat in official quarters
today. Belief that the German con-
verted cruiser would eventually in
tern was giving way to a feeling that
after all, she might try to smash her
way through the neck OF the bottle
to the open sea-.
Reports from Newport News that
the Administration is fully cogniZ-
ant of the plans Of the German conf
nander are denied by Secretary Of
The Navy Daniels. Re professed not
20 know what was TO be done.
Meanwhile the Elite! is tilling her
bunl;nrs with selected coal. Her
wornout boiler tubes have been re-
placed with new ones. and she could
probably make better than fifteen
Knots if pushed. II she is going out.
;hc cannot clear before some tjn,n
;onight, as British merchantmen
.lcared Newport News late Yesterday
md under the law twcnty-four hour:
must cIapse before an armed ''eAemy
ship" could put 70 sea.
But there is no certainty when. :
:"er. Commander ThierichenS will y;
tempt the run. It would be suicide
say marine authorities, for him 70
out il open day. And with the moor
AS l,''irht. as II was ast night = ;irfi
passage would be equally dangcroJ:
The German commander needs fog @
rain to essay successful dash, ant
there is no indication today Of the an
proach Of either in the near future
Officials refuse to confirm the re-
port that the time within which the
German raider must announce its iJp.
tention Of leaving port or interning
mas been reached. Under direct or
iers from President Wilson. the
Treasury and Navy Department of.
.icia!s who are in charge Of the Eitel
:asc, nave declined to say anything at
all about the matter.
Newport News. Va. April IA
ic:achment of thirty two men OF
ompany lis. Coast Artillery Corps,
was dispatched from Fort Monroe
,hortly before midnight yesterday
% stand guard around the Prinz
:,;.el Friedrich. This action was
a:;en ut the request Of Capt THE
'ichens Of the Prinz t,itcI. The Ger
nan raider is putting aboard 1900
nns of coal from barges sent from
;ewaIlS Point. This is sufficient to
lake her to Bremen. Rumors that
the commander of the PrinZ Eitel has
asked for a pilot cannot be confirm
d.
In addition 10 the troop guard an
armed United States navy launch to-
n;ght hove alongside the PrinZ Eitel
md prevented all shore boats from
approaching the vessel. Government
officials only are allowed to enter the
.fliuyard where the Prinz Eitel is
iuuored
The mine planter Ord is stand
:nr near the Prinz Eitel and it IS
.eady to convoy the cruiser through
i've water Of the three mile limit.
Ii any attacks is made on her III
United States wafer, Fortress Mon
zoe stands prepared for action and
sha battIeship Alabama, with am
rlnition enough aboard to sink a
fleet. remains on guard near the
.arey. In addition, submarine and
several torpedo destroyers are lay
;ra near The Alabama
1t was at the request of Capt.
Thierihens that a troops guard was
sent to the pier. All day he has
bcen in constant communication with
officials of the Treasury Department
and the commander Of Fortress Mon