The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-04-10
WANTS PREPARATION FOR FRYE
UNITED STATES REQUESTS GER.
MANY 10 PAY FOR ANiERI-
CAN SHIP.
Iaemnity OF s22s, oss.si for Loss on
Vessel Sunk by Prinz Eltcl Fried
rck-No Claim for Loss OF Cargo.

william II. Frye. sunk by the German
cruiser Prinz Eitel Frederick. the
United states in n note made public
today has asked Germany TO pay an
idemnity OF s22s. 039.54. which rep
resents the vessels cost. freight
charges for Its cargo and damages re-
sulting from being deprived OF the
use OF the ship.
Inasmuch as the cargo became
British owned while enroute, no claim
Tor damage was presented by the
previous American shippers. II Is re-
ported n the German ambassador
has recommended the payment OF an
idemnity for the loss OF the vessel.
An announcement from the state de-
partment recording the presentation
by Ambassador Gerard OF the note to
the German foreign office states:
Ambassador Gerard says the min
later for foreign affairs promised an
early reply and stated that he was
without information regarding the
matter but understood that negotia-
- lions are already under way between
Berlin and Washington. The ambas-
sador adds the the legal department
OF the foreign Office is now consider
ing the reports OF Law included"
The foregoing is understood TO re-
fer 10 the negotiations which Ambas-
sAdor Bernsroff initiated here. full re-
ports OF which are believed not yet 70
have reached the Berlin foreign office
on account OF the delays OF mail COM
nunication.
= This In the text OF the instruction
60 Ambassador Gerard:
You are instructed to present the
following note to the German foreign
srice:
" Under instructions from my gov.
eminent i have the honor to present
. claim for. t22s. O5s.54 with interesi
from January rs. 1915. against tn,
German government on behalf Of the
owners and captain OF the American
sailing vessel william p. Frye 10,
damages suffered by them on account
OF h destruction OF that vessel or
the high seas by the German armed
cruiser. Prinz Eitel Friedrich on Jan,
uary rs, 1915.
The facts upon which this claim
arises and by reason OF which tn,
German government Is held ~responsi.
bic by he government OF the United
States for the attendant loss and dam.
age are briefly as follows:
The William p. Frye, a stee,
sailing vessel OF 3.3i4 tons gros.
tonnage. owned by American citizens
and sailing under the United States
nag and registered. cleared from Seat.
tie. Wash. November II, 1914, un.
der charter to NJ. III. Houser of Port.
land. with a cargo consisting solely
or iS6.s50 bushels OF wheat owned by
the aforesaid Houser. and consigned
unto order or to its assigns" all OF
which appears from the ships D
which were taken from the vessel al
h time OF her destruction by the
commander OF the German cruiser.
ION January q. 1915. the Prinz
Eitel Friedrich encountered the Frye
on the high seas: compelled her to
stop. and sent on board an armed
boarding party. who took possession.
After an examination OF the ships
papers the commander of the cruiser
directed that the cargo be thrown
overheard, but subsequently decided
TO destroy the vessel. and on the fol-
lowing morning by his order the Frye
was sunk.
The claim OF the owners and cap
tain Consists OF the following items:
The value of ship. equipment and
outft. $50. 900.
Actual freight as per freight list,
~sss.7Ss.54.
Travelling Inc other expenses OF
Capt. Kiehne and Arthur sewell &
Co. agents OF ship. In connection
with making afldavits. preparing and
filing claim. $500.
Personal effects OF Capt. III. III.
Kiohne $500.
Damages covering loss due to dc
privation Of use OF ship. $4,000.
Total s22s.059.54.
by direction OF my government
! have the honor to request that full
r~eparation be made by the German
government for the destruction OF the
William II. Frye by the German
cruiser Prinz Eitel Friedrich
Bryan"