Evening star., 1915-04-07
ALLIES SHIPS HELD
UNTIL LE|TEL SAILS
Newport News Customs COL
Iector Refuses to Explain
to British Agents.
PRESS BOAT IS WARNED
BY NAVAL COMMANDER
Norfolk Shippers Protest Over Con-
tinued Hold-Up Of Mer-
chant Vessels.

Friedrich has hoisted line OF signal
flags and shortly before O'Clock blew
her whistle. One shrill blast was
sounded.
Smoke is pouring from both her fun
nels.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. April 7.-Evi-
dences that the United States Is deter
mined to prevent the departure OF
merchant ships Of belligerent powers
so long as the German converted cruis-
er Prinz Eitel Friedrich remains in
port and that this determination will
be backed up to any extremity were
revealed here today.
Agents of British shipping interests,
in conference with Norman r. Hamil-
ton. collector Of the port, first appealed
for permission to send out their ships.
When told that this would not be per-
mitted, they demanded an explanation
Of this action on the part OF the gov
ernment. Collector Hamilton informed
them that he could give them no ex-
PLANTATION.
One agent asked permission to send
two ships from this harbor to Norfoik
He was informed that he had better pc
careful, and under no conditions to at
tempt to send his ships from one port to
another without first notifying the Gus.
toms authorities and giving the names OF
the ships.
twenty-five Ships Held Up.
The agent was informed that in view
of the fact that ships to reach Norfolk
from here must pass by the battleship
Alabama, which is stripped for action. It
would be wise to take every precaution.
British agents insisted today that
twenty five ships at least are being
held up here. some of them loaded with
horses for the allied armies.
That the situation relating to the
Eitel here is becoming strained was
evidenced also when representatives of
the press who patrol the James river
near the German cruisers pier. were
nc titled by Capt. McCracken of the
If they did not run their boat at night
with full running lights and keep at
least two hundred yards distant from
the Eiters stern he would be forced
to bring them to with shot.
Capt. McCracken sent word of these
conditions through deputy customs
official.
The press boat later hailed the Pa
tuxent. which guards the German cruis-
er. Capt. McCracken beckoned the
craft alongside. He said he could not
identify any one at night even II he
did answer him as press" Several
small boats had been prowling about
without lights, he said, and he could
take no chances.
Not Thinking of Interning Eitel.
1--WE are not even thinking about in
ternment of the Prinz Eitel Friedrich
now" declared Collector of Customs
&C. t,4 y,,
waited expectantly throughout the
night for the German sea raider to
leave this port.
AS the collector spoke he was pre-
pairing to proceed again to the German
ship by direction Of the Washington
had bade farewell to Commander
Thierichens and members of his staff
last night.
The declaration by the collector that
cerned with the matter Of internment Of
the Prinz Eitel was the first authorita
tive admission concerning the mysterious
negotiations relating to the ship in many
days. Internment. the collector asserted.
would be a simple process to be taken
care of when the occasion arises.
The continued presence Of the merchant
raider in this port appeared to be Iuysti-
fying officials here and in Washington,
although 1t was apparent that the time in
which the German commander had to re-
main in American waters by permission
of Washington had not yet expired. This
time, It has been thought. expired at noon
today. Any announcement concerning the
guarded because such a revelation would
be serving notice to Germany:s enemies
when the Eitel expected to depart and
would be an unneutral act.
thorities were made following conferences
early in the day with Collector Hamilton.
Local business organizations also have
taken up the matter. maintaining that the
situation is injurious to the interests of
this port They have appealed to United
states Senators Martin and Swanson to
look into the matter at Washington.
Naval patrol at the harbor here still
continues. AS the day wore on the sit
uation at the Eiters pier appeared to
and men of the German ship had no
shore leave, however. was one notice.
able change from yesterday.
Alabama Cleared for Action.
With decks cleared for action. the
U. S. battleship Alabama swept Hamp-
ton roads with her searchlight last
night almost until dawn. All steam was
up and the warship was prepared for
any eventuality which might have aris-
en- to threaten American neutrality.
Aboard the Eitel all seemed darkness.
for every port hole had been covered.
Collector of customs Hamilton began
his nights vigil with visit to her
commander on board.
When he left the first officer invited
him to remain and go with u.s." The
collector returned to his Office in the
from which point he
kept in close touch with developments
until long after Midnight.
Moving at her fastest speed. the
Eitel could not make the twenty miles
from her pier to the open sea under
two hours. When she had not sailed
At midnight marine men became con-
v.nced that she would force internment.
They said her only hope to escape the
enemy warships would be for her to
round Cape Henry and slip down the
coast well inside the three-mile limit
until the enemy patrol had been passed.
Success for such an attempt, they as
serted. could be hoped for only under
the cover of darkness.
Famous Hotel Burns.
LONG BRANCH. N. j., April THE