Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-03-13
Master Of VIM. u. Frye
Says German Warship
Must Remain Neutral.
GIVES REASON FOR
SINKING OUR SHIP
Last Few Days at Sea the
Friedrich Ran From All
Enemy's Vessels.

NEWpORT NEWS, Va. March 10.
~ 81 can say positively that tho
Prnz Eitol Friedrich never will leave
this port until the end of the Eu-
ropean war"
This declaration was made tonight
to representative of the Associated
Press by Captain II. II. Kiehne, master
of the American sailing ship William
L. Frye, which the German raider de-
stroyed in the south Atlantic ocean
January 2S last.
Captain Kiehne had just hidden fare
well to Commander Thierichens of the
German cruiser, had paid off his crew
and was leaving for Washington to re-
veal the details Of his ships destruc-
ton directly to heads of the govern
ment
why do you make such positive
statement" the American captain was
asked.
THAT ! will not say" he replied.
But / know she has come here TO
stay until the war is over
Notwithstanding this the COM
mander Of the Eitel Friedrich tonight
reiterated that it is his purpose to
leave American waters as soon as pos
sibic
Regarding the reasons for the sink
ing Of the Frye, IL WIS reported to-
night that officers of the converted
cruiser reached a decision after find
ing in the Frye's papers a record that
the ship with its cargo of wheat was
bound for Queenstown, Falmouth or
Plymouth for orders" Under the
British proclamation OF contraband, 1t
was pointed out, foodstuffs were
classed as conditional cOntraband IL
consigned TO fortified port. Ply
mouth is fortified port
Captain Kiehne also threw addi-
tional light tonight on the coming
OF the Eitel Friedrich TO this port.
and insisted that the German COM
did not choose Newport News
hazardly as a port of safety.
Run From Enemy Ships.
after February 90 said the cap
tain, the Germans entirely changed
their tactics. Up to that time when
ever a smoke smudge was sighted ev-
cry man was ordered to the guns and
the ship sailed straight for the smoke.
After the sinking OF the Willerby
there was a change.
From then on the Friedrich ran
from everything. On the last three
nights ! knew that the officers were
getting the wireless from British
cruisers. On the last two nights be-
fore passing into the Virginia capes
the order 10 the crew was everybody
10 the guns, nobody 10 sleep. on the
last night two of the British cruisers
were within ten miles Of us."
Captain Kiehne said that several Of
the German officers asked him ten
or twelve days ago II he knew where
they were going TO land.
~ told them / knew they We're go
Ing TO Newport News. where they
could find a good shipy2rd," said
Kiehne.
Then they asked me what | con-
sidered the best course TO follow to
escape detention. ! told them TO hang
10 the longitude right up and then TO
strike due westerly 10 the coast. That
Is exactly what they did"
Two Of Captain kiehue's cerw re-
fused 10 accept payment today be-
cause Of a decision based on statutory
law that they were entitled 20 wages
only until January 2S, the day the
Frye was sunk
All other members Of the crew ac-
'epted payment under protest and
urged that the German government
should pay them for 80 days spent on
board the raider.
Beer for Germans.
But despite their shortage of pay.
he crew OF the Frye tonight sent
with their compliments TO the Ger
nan cruiser eight kegs Of beer for the
rev and cigars for the officers
ness.
Late today naval board OF three,
headed by Naval Constructor Dubose,
Inspected the Eitel Friedrich. Regu-
atlons require that all warships COM
ng into American ports be examined.
Naval Constructor Dubose would not
iiscuss his report. which will be for
yarded TO Washington az once for in
in guiding officials with
eference TO the request of the Fried
tch's commander for time to repair
MS vessel. other members Of the
lOard were Lieutenant Commander
Norris and Lieutenant Allen.
Following this inspection the Eitel
Friedrich, having been sCraped and
PAINTED below the water line, Il was
announced she would withdraw from
Try dock tomorrow morning and move
n one OF the shipyard piers to await
Information from Washington as to
he request for repairs.
Collector Hamilton today sent 10
Thierichens a letter ask
ng that he be advised definitely Of
he length Of time required to make
he Eitel Friedrich seaworthy.
The collector did not expect to re-
eive a reply tonight. A formal re-
'ort on the entire incident of the
ruiser's arrival here was forwarded
" Collector Hamilton tonight TO the
ecretary of the treasury.