New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-14
Allied Vessels Draw Cor
don Around Raider at
Hampton Roads.
CAPTAIN REQUESTS
WEEKS FOR REPAIRS
Expected to Make a Dash for
Sea at Night Before
Time Is Up.
nv Telegraph 70 ne rriNune J


Thierfelder OF the Kronprinz Will
helm. still at anchor in Hampton Roads,
attempts TO take the cruiser to sea
again, he will be forced TO run the
gantlet OF alert and superior war
ships, which have arrived at the
Capes.
An incoming ship captain this after
noon brought the first intelligence that
the British and French warships had
again appeared off the Capes Mes
sages from the Atlantic feet, on the
Southern drill grounds, are said to re-
port FIVE warships patrolling the coast.
Residents at Cape Henry and Virginia
Beach report that three ships can be
easily seen with glasses, while their
outlines are visible with the naked eye.
There is general discussion in
marine and naval circles here as 10
what will be the result if the Wilhelm
should make dash for the open sea
some night soon. The fact that the en-
tire Atlantic fleet is engaged in night
and day target practice on the South
ern drill grounds, it is commended,
would cause serious complications.
These grounds are but few miles out
side the lanes of travel northward. now
occupied by patrolling allied ships. a
chase and running sea fight, 1t is de
clared. could not occur without en-
dangerng and probably involving
American warships. Should the Ger
man commander succeed in eluding the
English and French ships, and dash
through the drill grounds, these ships
would be forced TO endanger the
American ships or allow their prey to
escape.
Those who believe Captain Thierfeld-
err intends TO make an effort to get
away point to the fact that he is ask
ing for three weeks in which TO make
repairs to the Wilhelm, when he has
admitted his ship can be made sea-
worthy within two weeks, as a part OF
his plan. They contend that his idea
is TO rush the work on the cruiser
night and day. quietly obtain coal and
provisions. and make the dash four or
FIVE days before his time Is up, thus
endeavoring TO catch the allied war
ships mapping Those who believe the
Wilhelm will inferno declare his action
is for the purpose of holding the allied
ships at the Capes Indefinitely.
Late tonight il was reported that,
while two warships were guarding the
capes. four or five others we're search
ing the Atlantic for another German
sea raider. This revived speculation
as to the German cruiser Karlsruhe,
several times reported destroyed.
officers of the Wilhelm asserted they
did not believe the Karlsruhe had been
destroyed. A member of the crew said
that last summer she destroyed a Brit
ish naval base at Bridgetown, Barbados, |
and that the exploit never was revealed,
Navigators familiar with the Nir-
ginia Capes declare that IL the kron-
prinz Wilhelm escapes il will be only
by marvellous running Of a gauntlet in !
which she will demonstrate her won
derful speediness and the nerve of her
young commander.
Captain Thierfelder's formal request
for time to repair his ship was for
warded to the Secretary Of the Treas
ury late day. While il is understood /
the German commander asked for three I
weeks as a maximum, he stated he
would make every effort TO complete .
temporary repairs and leave port be-
fore that time. He did not request
coal and provisions. explaining that he
would do this when the Washington
government has decided how long he
may remain in neutral waters. II is 4
understood his request included a pc
tition TO go into drydOck Immediately.
From The Tribune Bureau
Washington, April 13.-The State De 1
partment to-day received through the
German Embassy the request of the
commander of the Kronprinz Wilhelm
for mechanical survey Of the hull
and machinery Of the sea raider to de- .
termine the time necessary 10 make
sufficient repairs to fit her for sea. The I.
request was at once formally referred
TO the Navy Department, which will
follow the procedure laid down in the
case of the Eitel.
At the State Department it is said
the case Of the Wilhelm presents a
complete analogy to that Of the Eite .
The only point Of difference in the 7
questions Of international law involved
is that the Kronprinz came to port with
no American scalp at her belt. The
destruction Of the Norwegian bark Sc
mantha was accomplished under cir
cumstances similar to the destruction
of the Frye, but that is not a question
for the United States.
The general belief in departmental
circles is that the Wilhelm will be
given about three weeks, after which
she will inferno.
Urges Firm Attitude