The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-04-13

CCc tinued from First PaSe.)
statement If the supplies and fuel
desired. together with an estimate of
the time he would requirse for re-
pairs Notice was served in this
communication that the German COM
mander must not leave this port
within twcrty-four hours after the
departure OF any ship bearing the
flag Of any country with which Ger
many is al war,
IN hts reply. CAPITA in Thierfeider In
formed Collector Hamilton that sur
vey Of the ship was being made TO de-
termine the length "f time required
to put her In a aworthy condition.
He promised 10 communicate with
he collector Is soon as II is com
pIeted.
survey i'm Progress.
The survey was made by experts
from the Newport News shipyard.
who informed the German captain
that they could not formulate an esti-
mate for the need OF repairs untii
after midnight
Collector Hamilton said afterwards
that the kronprinz would not be per
mitted to so into dry dock for repairs
untn after the neutrality board at
Washington had passed upon the rea-
sonableness OF the time required for
repairs. He said that as soor as he
received this request he will comnu-
niCate IL to the treasury department.
II will then be passed on TO Secre-
tary OF the Navy Daniels, who viii
designate navy officers to fix a rea-
sonable limit for repairs. The de-
oision Of the navy officers Will be
reviewed by the neutrality board, who
viii instruct him TO communicate to
Captain Thierfelder the time within
which he must leave port OF intern.
New evidence Of the close call the
kronpriaz had in her dash for the
protection of the territorial waters OF
the United States was given today by
Captain Lucas, OF the British coal
ship Berwindmoor which came into
her dock here short time after the
German ship, Lucas said that he
had been ia sight of the Kronprina
for several minutes before she
reached the three mile limit. He saw
that she was pursued by British
ship and Just as she came within the
ahree-mile limit "A French warship
flashed a searchlight on her.
Ship Was Hotly Pursued.
the story OF the pursuit Of the
hro1prinE up to the three-mije limit
was corroborsted by Chief Engineer
he had seen the pursuing warship
Captain Thierfeder tonight told of
his adventures on the high seas and
gave the seasons why he sought ref
uEe N this port. He said:
Captain Tells HIS story.
I'VE started north from tho eaua
tor about March IS. We were short
OF coal and supplies and tho vessels
I'VE had hoped would como TO bring
us succor did not arrive. We cruis-
ed along day after day. hoping to
overhaul some ship from which we
could seize coal and supplies but
none came within our zone. II was
necessary because Of the condition
OF our bottom and sides. as well as
because of the lack of fuel that Wa
headed for some port where we
could enter \ drydock. | thought
fhss the best place, and go kept this
in mind as a destination, although
my course was not the shortest mat
could have been laid for This port
We heard English ships talking
TO themselves repeatedly In this
manner We picked up the press news
being sent out about the arrival OF
the Eitci and her decision 10 intern.
At one time we heard az many as
eight wireless outfits Of English ships
talking at once Then came the night
that the Eitel interned. and it seem
ed that the enemy ships ceased their
interchanges slmos, immediately. II
was then I turned my ship in toward
the capes and headed for them at
top speed. Soon We came within
wireless range Of what I believe to
have been three English ships and
one French ship. We came within
the capas at o'clock yesterday
morning. and proceeded 10 pick mp
pilot
Draws Vivid Picture
Captain Thierfelder drew vivid
picture OF the night when he mar
rowly missed connection with a col
Tier from the Canary Islands which
had put ont with the purpose of sup
plying him with coal. He said il was
the only ship he had sought TO meet
by appointment TO secure supplies.
The kronprinz, obscured by her dark
gray color. the, moonlight night of
the rendezvous with the German coll
iisr vaa enabled to come within an
easy range of vision without being
observed The collier which she had
counted upon was true to her mis-
sion. but TO the dismay Of the Ger
man offtcers. two British warsfips
were seen keeping watch near her.
The German captain saw II would
he sure death to attempt to reach
his collier, and SO turned and crept
away IT. the moonlight without be-
ing observed.
The captain said he had not passed
an American ship during his entire
voyage Of more than eight months
He denied a report that he had
sought refuge IN the Amazon River
for several weeks. and denied also
that he had been overtaken ny two
British ships while coaiing of the
Bahamas According to this report
the kronpr:nz had Ned from the
British ships and escaped
No Views from Tftefs wireless.
The German captain was incenscd
by reports that his information re-
Rardinr the intAfnrnanf nf The Eifel