The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-12

tions to be papers of state and will
without translation.
Boilers in Had shape.
1t was stated after a preliminary
examination today that the boilers of
the cruiser are in bad condition. Her
rudder and propeller practically re-
fuse to work and her tail shaft is
badly warped. She Is also badly In
need of cleaning and painting. The
commander of the German ship has
given out no statement to any one,
and Mr.. Merriwether the gentleman
responsible for the alleged statement
admitted tonight In the presence of
several correspondents that the state
ment did not come from the captain
He said that the captain turned him
over to two of his officers. and 1t was
from that he secured the story that
appeared as the captains statement
Tell Different Stories.
with the knowledge that they were
free. masters OF the ships and many
OF the passengers tell different stories
OF the treatment accorded them by
the Germans. The master of the WILL
lerby. sunk February 30, said that the
Friedrich headed directly across the
bow OF the steamer and probably
would have run her down had the
steamer not been the faster ship.
Captain John Wedgewood. master of
the Willerhy further stated that the
German skipper threatened to fire IL
he did not stop. He said that he and
, the crew were barely of the ship
when a German officer opened the
hatch and placed a dynamite bomb be-
meath several bags OF wheat. The
captain further stated that the Ger
man commander accused him of try
Ing TO run down the cruiser, although
laden with women and children. He
said he did not take the trouble to
deny the accusation. Captain Wedge
wood also stated that he and all his
crew signed articles promising not to
take up arms against Germany, with
the understanding that they were to
be placed aboard the irst neutral ship
sighted. He said that thirty-eight
neutral ships were sighted, but none
Of them stopped.
Collector Serves NotiCe.
Norman +. Hamilton. collector of
! customs. acting under the instruc-
tons from the Secretary of the Treas
ury. yesterday placed the following
letter in. the hands of the German
, commander:
Newport News. Va,
March IL, 1915.
: The Commander OF the German
Cruiser Prinz Eitei Friedrich:
Sill have the honor to advise
that under instructions received from
the Secretary of the Treasury. formu-
lated with the advice Of the State De-
partment, your stay in the United
States waters will be governed as fol-
lows:
You will be expected to leave
United States Jurisdiction within
twenty-four hours, In accordance with
article IL, convention IS. The Hague
1907. unless a further period OF time
Is proved to be necessary to take on
board fuel or stores or to make re-
pairs.
Article IL Of convention IS reads:
In the absence OF special provision to
the contrary in the legislation of q
neutral power. belligerent warships
are not permitted to remain in the
ports OF roadsteads. or territorial
waters OF the said power for more
cases covered by the present conven-
ton. This IL in accordance with the
proclamation Of neutrality issued upon
the outbreak of war.
IF you so desire, you may have
fuel and lubricants sufficient. with
those already on board, to take your
shin to the nearest German port
You may have provisions in the
quantity not more than necessary to
bring your supplies to the usual peace
standard for the complement Of the
shtp.
"If necessary. you may have repairs
made hut only to the extent that is
necessary to make the vessel sea-
worthy. the amount of repairs and the
time necessary for their execution to
be determined by designated authori-
ties OF the United States.
You may land the captured passen-
gers officers and seamen after same
have been passed by the United States
immigration authorities az being ell
gible aliens for landing in the United
States.
You may land and forward your
mall after arrangements have been
completed with the United States post
office authorities for the proper for
warding OF same
you will land any Americans
among the officers. seamen or passen-
gers from captured vessels,
"You are requested not TO use your
radio equipment in port for purposes
OF transmission.
I'm conclusion. / have the honor to