Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1915-08-24


efficiency Of German methods and to the gene
rosty with which they treated by the United
States navy department and naval officers. AS
few restrictions as possible have been placed
upon the interned crews, and reasonable requests
have been promptly granted.
From the moment the visitor steps upon the
gangway of the Prnz Eitel Friedrich, which also
leads to the Kronprinz Wilhelm, he sees evil
dences of preparations for long stay and COM
Portable living. The cruisers formerly trans
atlantic liners with commodious cabins and ex
pansive decks, have been cleared of all evidence
which usually marks the warship. Awnings have
been stretched to protect from the rain or sun.
Everything not needed by a ship out of commits
sion is out Of sight.
About two hundred men are daily granted
shore leave In the case of the enlisted men and
noncOmmissioned officers the leaves of absence
can be granted by the commanding officer of
either cruiser. These leaves never exceed IL
hours. The majority are for six. In the case of
the officers all leaves of absence must receive
the sanction Of the yard commandant or officer
of the day-United States naval officials. in other
words
All leaves specify that the men thus quitting
the ships must not leave the Jurisdiction of the
Norfolk yard. This includes the ports of Nor
folk Portsmouth, Newport News and Hampton,
as well as Old Point Comfort and the seaside re-
sorts. Where leaves are desired to go beyond
this yard Jurisdiction special permission with
the approval Of the yard commandant, must be
secured from the navy department These must
specify the places to be visited the object of the
visit and the duration Of absence. AS yet they
nave been granted only to officers
It Is no uncommon sight to see German sailors
On the streets Of Norfolk They are also often
at the seaside resorts They have received the
nickname OF Sissy" because of the peculiar caps
Ihey wear, with ribbon streamers falling almost
10 lnelr shoulders. The peculiar baggy manner
III winch the blouse is worn, with the protruding
large white collar, relic of pinafore days and
the numerous rows of brass buttons adjoining the
UNIFORM make them easily recognizable. They
are usually found in groups of from three to six
seldom in larger numbers They are remarkably
orderly and although frequent patrons at the
vars and the beer and music gardens, are never
seen intoxicated. 1t is the local belief that this
is Que to practice making perfect-that they
are we'll trained for carrying load"
""eA on shore leave the principal amusements
VI the German sailor are sightseeing, social
UHhNng. and, as a negro would say, Grating"
WIN OermanAmericans of whom there are a
considerable number in Norfolk. In the beau
'-| residential sections of the city they are
lVpealedlF observed on sightseeing trips They
invariably walk, and show lively interest in the
buildings and water front
III The evening the German sailors are to be
'- o' the rathskellers of the various hotels
vi 'he beer saloons Some of them are always
mere enjoying themselves in a quiet manner.
0Sual-y they are accompanied by Germans in
"l-lan clothes who know the town
Tue |el[known German neatness characterizes
l"'Se sailors whether aboard ship or on shore
cave. They pride themselves on personal clean
mess neatness of appearance, and military
Ihey are seemingly always dress
talaoe-and vet it is not ostentatiousness. The
--@.',W are clean shaven. and appear to have
--S' Jumped from the BARRIERS chair. A number
81" ''S RAISER mustache; some have patch of
SAT- ounnys tail" on their chins
s-e OF the men ashore make their headquar--
.s a' places Of business kept by local Germans
me most popular because convenient In
.- ana going to the informed cruisers-is a
'''S shop Americans are welcomed by the
..'S ana treated cordially. They talk freely of
ME on shipboard, and of their hopes of
..~'" victory. However. under instructions