Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-03-11
REPATRIATION 10 OWNERS AND
APOLOGY 10 UNCLE SAN

Z NNhfA'f'hf ~ - : - 90 IN
Warrington March l0- Arrival q
the German converted cruiser Prin,
Etcl Friedrich at Newport News, viii
Ihe announcement that during her sp
Iiuonihs recurring of the seas as q
commerce raider she had sent to IA,
bottom ono vessel which was Amcri.
can owned and flew the flag Of the
United statos. profoundly stirred Of.
fical Washington. In the absence OF
Ia detailed story Of the sinking Of the
American ship william r FRYE. of
the coast Of South America judgment
WAS Withheld but there was no at-
tempt 10 deny the seriousness Of the
incident and 10 was conceded that ON
ITS faee IL bore the appearance Of an
|unfriendlY act upon the part Of a Ger
man ship of wnr which must result
IN diplomatic negotiations with the
German government
Such Information az had come to
/ Official ears tonight from Newport
News was IN substance that the Frye
4 was blown up because the commander
Of the Eitel held her cargo Of wheat
/ 10 be coutraband II was pointed out
/ that wheat WIS not contruband unless
consigned TO % bclligcrcnt government
on some agent of such government
The Frycs manifest showed her
bound to Queenstown for orders
Officials explained that this dcclara-
tlon in tho manifest was not unusual,
and added that circumstances so far
indicated that the Frye was not sub
iect % seizure or destruction
The master, Officers and crew Of the
Frye viii appear tomorrow in Nor
folk before collector of customs and
will be questioned at length about tho
capture ana dcstructiou Just what
demands might bc made upon Ger
many if the sinking Of the Frye were
considered an unfrcndly act. WAS not
disclosed. u was understood that the
United states probably would seek
the usual honorable amend under in
ternationul law, as well as reparation
for the owners
The Priuz lcltol undoubtedly will be
iuterned In Hampton Roads unless
her commander is willing to take a
chance with the north Atlantic ana
the allies ships with a bottom foulcd
by six months AZ sea, with her plates
sprung and her general condition FAR
from aeaworthy
Secretary Daniels transmitted re-
ports he received today to the neutral
ity board for decision on the follow
ing points
How long the vessel may remain
m port to undergo repairs.
What disposition shall be made Of
the survivors of the various ships cap
tured by the Prinz Eitel Friedrich.
What legal proceedings, il any shall
be entered against the Prinz Eitel ana
her officers for the sinking Of the
American ship Frye
The extent of the prlnz lGitcl Frlod-
rlch's repairs and The length of her
soiourn. unless she interns will be
determined after AN inspection by an
American naval constructor.
Under the usual practice Of inter
national law, as followed In previous
wars a battlcship can sink a neutral
vessel only when she carries coa-
trnhand and would In any case te
certain Of condemnation by prize
court
With the officers ana the warships,
however under the jurisdiction of the
United States libel proceedings could
be instituted by the Fryes owners.
Officers and crow of the Prinz Eital.
viii be informed Tor the war by the
United states government if the vos-
sci itself Is iuterned
The owners Of the destroyed ship
Frye took out policy for 81 550,O0o
with the government war risk lnsur
anco bureau last October ana this may
play a part IN determining her status
as carrier OF cargo not subject 60
seizure
The navy department tonight is
sued the following statement based on
a report TO Secretary Daniels by Al
miul Bcaty commanding the Norfolk
navy yard
captain Of Prlnz llitol Friedrich Of
the German navy transferred from
of gunboat In chime Officers
are regular German officers The
crew came from the kuisetu LuDz.
The captain said that the merchant
captain is on board now ON examu'
alton made az sea the chief engineer
thinks il viii take two or three weeks
To make repairs The captain SAYS
he thinks much longer time necessary
and says ship must be locked and re-
pairs mde 90 propeller aud rudder