Evening star., 1915-03-28
Officials Here Believe German
Raider viii Be Interned
at Newport News.
ALLIES WARSHIPS AWAIT
POSSIBLE DASH OF SHIP
Settlement Of Case Expected Within
the Next Few Days
at Furthest.

That the time limit set by the United
States for the making OF repairs on the
German commerce destroyer Prinz
Eftel Friedrich. which sunk the Ameri-
can sailing craft. the William P. Frye,
is nearly up and that the Eitel will be
interned at Newport News by orders of
the American government, Is the con-
sensus among officials
No one in authority would discuss
the ships status, but it is known that
Eitel does not leave port within TWEEN
ty-four hours from the expiration of
that period she will be ordered in
termed. 1t is not believed that Capt.
Thierichens will dare to make a dash
for the high seas with several cruisers
Of the allied navies waiting for him
just beyond the three-mile belt of neu-
trail waters.
The German captain could appeal for
time to make further repairs, but this
only would be granted. it is thought,
on new and unexpected showing as
to the unseaworthiness Of his vessel.
It appeared to be the general opinion
that Commander Thierichens would not
would wait out his time limit and COM
pei the government to act.
Officials recalled the statement of
Capt. kiehne of the Frye. sunk by the
Eitel. who declared when he reached
shore from the cruiser that she would
not put to sea again during the war.
He refused to say on what he based
his prediction, but officials believed his
long association with the Eiters off,
GERS after the Frye was sunk qualified
him to speak with some authority.
Allies Want Action.
1t was suggested to officials that the
presence of numerous British horse
transports at Newport News might
serve to delay the departure of the Eli
tel. should her commander determine
to attempt a dash to sea past the pa
troll of warships said to be maintained
by the allies off the tarbor and beyond
the three-mile limit.
Under neutrality laws, no belligerent
warship, such as the Eitel, may leave
port within twenty-four hours after
the departure of an enemy merchant
craft BY sailing in and out of the
harbor at frequent intervals the Brit
ish merchant shippers could delay the
Eiters dash. II they SO desired. 1t was
thought, however, that no such maneu-
victfon was general the Eitel would
not put to sea and the allies were not
desirous of delaying the time of her
internment.
With the ships released from the
vigil Off the Virginia capes, 1t is re-
ported search will be made for the
Prinz Wilhelm. another German raider
of which nothing has been heard for
many weeks.
Conference Of Officials.
Secretary Daniels and Acting Secre-
tary Bechinridge of the War De-
partment conferred yesterday regard
ing the measures to carry out neutral
ity laws in the case of the Eitel as laid
down by the State Department
The neutrality board has advised also
with officials of the Treasury Depart
ment, which under the law is respon-
sible for the internment of the Eitel.
if it should come to that, or her de-
parture from Newport News after no.
tice.
Mr.. Beckinridge said no orders had
yet been given to the post commanders
and declared that even In case Of a
naval battle within the three-mile limit
should the Eitel make the dash, there
would be no firing from the forts
without express order from Washing
ton.
Hatzfeldt Sees Lansing.
German embassy. visited the State De-
partment yesterday to ask If all those
aboard the Prinz Eitel except the crew
had been removed. The embassy un-
derstood. he told Counselor Lansing.
that some of the persons whom the
immigration authorities refused per-
mission to land remained aboard.
Prince Hatzfeldt was informed that
the State Departments information
was that everybody had left the Prinz
Eitel. including the undesirables, who
would be deported.
Eitel Recalls Dinner Invitations.
NEWPORT NEWS. Va. March 81
The German converted cruiser Prinz
Eitel Friedrich still was tied up at the
local shipyard at midnight tonight,
and, with the exception of smoke
issuing from both tunnels. indicating
that steam was being raised in addi-
tional boilers, there were no outward
appearances of unusual activity aboard.
Guards patrolled the dock and the
deck of the warship.
At Fort Monroe all was tranquil.
The searchlights were not In opera
ton.
Invitations which had been issued to
a dinner on board the Eitel tomorrow
were recalled tonight. 1t was said,
without explanation.