The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-31
Naval Leaders Hold Long Conference at Newport News, Where the Prinz Eitel Is DOcked
MERCHANTMEN ARE SUPPLYING ALLIED
 WARSHIPS, REPORT
Commander f German Raider Gle Ssi With Gus tom Off Sy-Time Limit
 for Sta cy 7 St Yet Expired

Newps< a SNs. Va, March 30.--En- forcen, American neutrality in tue port of N~ iolk-Newport News vns the subject of protracted conference at the Norfolk navy yard late todny after the arrival in Hampton Roads of the brttleship Alabama, which took com manding position in the channel to the sea and remained there tonight. taking on ammunition and supplies.
 Participating in the conference were Rear Admiral Beatty, commandant of the Norfolk navy yard; Rear Admiral Helm. commander of the reserve Atlantic fleet, who arrived on the Alabama, and Norman R. Hamilton, collector of GUS toms for the port of Norfolk Newport News. While the conference was in prog ress Commander Max Therichens. of the German converted cruiser Prinz Eitcl Friedrich still in dock here, was closeted with deputy customs officers in the New port News office.
 Later at the Norfolk navy yard gov ernment officials refused to make any statement Primarily it was learned. the Alabama came to Hampton Roads to guard the neutrality interests of the united States between German man-o'- war within an American port and a fleet Of warships of the European allies hover ing off the Virginia capes. That the situation thus presented demanded the presence of an American warship gen erally was admitted
 Reports Circulated
 Reports that allied warships had ven tured within the three-mile limit and that ships had furnished them with supplies had been circulated here for sev- eral daysbefore the Alabama was sent Co .HaInpto,h Roads. Merchant ships are said to have taken deck loads of coal after filling their bunkers.
 T have Investigated thoroughly one case in which merchant ship was re- ported to have taken coal to a foreign warship' off the capes and found it not true," said Collector Hamilton tonight.
 This ship may have delivered to vessels at sea coal which she took on board at some English port, later arrived at New port News and departed with full cargo of grain She took from here 300 tons of coal, merely enough for one ships use. A portion of this may have been placed on her decks. this for the reason only. however, that the ship desired all space for cargo purposes"
 Henry s. Holmes, agent of British ship
 
 solute knowledge that no merchant ship had taken fuel or supplies to any of the warships. Taking deck loads of coal, Mir Holmes said, was necessary on &C., count of extra heavy cprgoes carried TOT foreign ports.
 Commander Thierichens would not talk about his visit to the customs officials. He returned late today to the Prinz Eitel. In official quarters the opinion still pre- vails that the German raider will force the United States government to intern her, but there are many here who have associated with officers and men of the ship who say that she will put to sea and take a chance on escaping the blockade of the allies when served with notice to depart.
 Merchant Ships Leave
 Allied merchant ships continue to de- part from this port almost daily. In this connection officials pointed out that the successive departure of merchant ships of enemy belligerents could not indefin- itely postpone departure of the Prnz Eitel after being served with notice that time for repairing in American waters had expired. They pointed to clause in the proclamation issued by Presi- dent Wilson August last, which, after stating that bellgerent warship cannot leave a neutral port for "A hours after de- rar.ure of the merchant ship of an enemy, says:
 ''No ship of war or privateer of bel lgerent shall be detained in any port, harbor, roadstead or waters of the United the sue ccessive departures from such port, harbor roadsted or waters of the United States of more than one vessel of an opposing belligerent"