The Hawaiian gazette., 1915-03-12
Explanation Of lncldnr' z; =. :, Dyl
Commander Of German cruis-
er Prinz Eitel Friedrich Does
Not Satisfy President Wilson
ADMINISTRATION WANTS
MORE COMPLETE REPORT
Teuton Warship That Sent Wind
iammer To Bottom Goes Into
Drydock for Repairs Which
May Require Week To Complete
tAaaoclaIed Prsaa By FederaI wIrsIess.l I I

(AHsoeiuted Press by Federal wireIess.)
wv AsHINGToN, March l2.-In
w explanation under oath Of the
sinking Of the American sailing vessel
VIM. p. Frye, bound for British ports
with cargo Of grain, by the German
auxiliary cruiser Prinz Eitel Friedrich,
her commander, from whom statement
was categorically required by the
American government, has sent word
that he supposed the VIM. p. Frye's
cargo to have been contraband.
Better Excuse Required
Something fuller win be needed be-
tore President Wilson is satisfied.
Foodstuffs consigned to civilian indi.
viduals or firms were not considered
contraband Of war and at the time the
Prinz Eitel Friedrich sank the VIM z.
Frye, after dumping overheard her
cargo: England had not announced her
intention TO ssizs ali fosasiGge bcead
\ for German ports, and Germany had not
retaliated with her deelaration Of un'
dersea warfare on British merchant
commerce.. In short, the administra'
ton finds it difficult to understand
what could have led the German com
mander to suppose that at that time
grain was eontraband Of war -
Another Issue Arises %#a.' IL,
Moreover, even had such been the
case, although the destruction Of the
. cargo might then be regarded as self
explanatory, the sinking Of the shiI
herself would remain unaecounted for
International law supplies few prece
dents for sending neutral ships to th'
bottom, and the belief is general in Of
fetal circles that demand for dam
ages and an explanation from German,
will lie. Nothing yet has appeared =
weaken the assumption made on tn
face of the facts as known thus IA
that Americas case is Of the best.
Cruiser Badly Disabled III
In the meantime the i Prinz Elite
Friedrich is in drydock and, after
preliminary examination, her comman
der said last night that she could b
made ready for sea In q week. .,
Under the neutrality regulations : i
force, belligerent men.o'Sar whic
make neutral ports are allowed twenty
four hours in which to take on supple
and coal sufficient for a voyage to tn
nearest home port, or in case the vel
sci has been damaged, sufficient tim
time in which TO effect reasonable II
pairs with the greatest possible di
patch. e
Cruiser May Interne
If the precedents set by the inter-
mept of the German cruisers Geier .
Honolulu and Cormoran at Guam al
followed, as seems highly probable, IL
Prinz Eitei Friedrich VIM beNexamiBe
by American naval officers, whb wi
Judge the repairs necessary and est
mate the time they ought to take, aft
which the cruiser win be given a de-
mite period within which either to y
terne for the duration Of the war I
put to >sea and take her chances wit
the British warship which undoubtedl
win be waiting for her outside u
three-mile limit. H.. ...sl-.s.f.
Officers from the Prinz Eitel Frie
rich were allowed on shore today ait
they had given assurances that thu
had nothing MlE Jficial bhsiness 4
transact. Some Of the crew were pc
mitted to land.
Retain VIM. p. Frya's Papers
so far the German officers have 7
fused to surrender the Ship pape
of the VIM. p. Frye, on the ground tn
they should be held for the view of
German prize court, but copies will
furnished II desired. Fifteen sacks
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