Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-03-12
Makes Formal Statement of.
Reasons for Sinking Amer
lean Vessel William F. Frye.
in Pacific.
REGARDS CARGO AS
C0NTRABAND OF WAR
Thinks Auxiliary Cruiser CAM
Be Repaired Within Few
Days and Would Avoid In
ternment

tHv "oREtsa JoussAl orreiAl tsssro wlsri
Newport News, Va. Marcn H.
Commander rhierichens of the Ger
man converted cruiser ptiu2 Eitel
Friedrich which late today went into
dNduCt here for repairs sadly
needed after six months Of rowing the
seas submitted two statements to-
night one of which gave his rca-
sons for sinking i'm south Atlantic
waters. January 2S last the Ameri-
can sailing ship William T.. FRYE.
with her cargo OF $500 tons Of wheat,
consigned to Queenstown" The
other related TO the length or time
that win be required To repair his
ship.
Collector Hamilton announced that
he resarded the answers OF the Ger
man commander as state papers ana
that ne would forward them to
Washington. II was learned that the
commander frankly has stated To
American government officials that
he sank the Frye because he regard
ed her cargo as contraband of war
Repairs Can BE Madc.
In the communication relating to
the repairs necessary on the Eitel it
was understood he said the vessel
could be made seaworthy within a
few days or a week at most Wheth-
er he announced "a wish 60 depart as
soon as the American naval author
tiles could pass ON repairs TO be made
was not disclosed Previously he
had made it clear that it was not his
intertion TO intern his ship.
h.. condition. or f4pptg4ffo o
engines and boilers It was reported
that whereas she had been steaming
eighteen knots an hour at the be
ginning OF her historic commerce
raidng career. she dared make
scarcely twelve when she reached
American waters early Wednesday
morning.
After the ship went into drydoek
tonight she discharged the crews of
British. French and Russian ships she
had sunk, having released the Ameri-
can crew in the afternoon The
French crews left late tonight by
the old Dominion line for New YORK.
A few Russians went with them The
British crews plan to return to Eng
land ON British ships laden with
horses from this port
British sailors Sing Tipperary.
Commander Thierichens assured
officials here that neither the Officers
nor men of the Eitei Friedrich would [
set foot on American SOIL except on
official business lie made this state F..
ment to Collector Hamilton after say
ine it was his intention not to intern |
his ship
In the ship yard tonight the re-
leased sailors of British ships after /
receiving their Kits, marched to street /
cars singing "Tipperary.'
Does Not Wish 10 Intern
Commander Thierichens agreed lalo
today TO deliver In writing TO inc {
American government through me |
collector of the port here, his eNplanR
tion and reasons for sinking ~ Vhe
south Atlantic ocean the American
sailing ship william = Frye tie also
agreed after Collector of customs
Hamilton had boarded the IrlhH nltoi
and submitted neutrality requirements
Of the Washington government to
communicate an estimate lor the 'lIne
reoutred to repair his ship, at the
earno time stating that 1t was his de
sire not to intern his vessel put 70
urocced ass soon as repairs made her
no the request of the Washington
that he land here the
crews of captured and sunken Vessels
ana such passengers as could comply
with immigration regulations, lle
German commander gave assent. lhe
crew Of the American snip Frye was
landed late i'm the afternoon ana ar
were made for taking OIL
later tonight the crews Of British
French and Russian ships sunk Ina the
South sea.
Goes Into DTyd0Ck
The EiteI Friedrich herself steamed
into Newport News ship building yaru
and went into drydock where eKpertS
began an examination of her condl-
tion. Held ON board are about sew
anty-five third class passengers OF the
French liner FlOridc, refused admis-
sion by Immigration inspectors ON
the ground of ineligibillty CohSUlS
of these passengcrs Will arrange as
soon as possible for their departure
to Ellis island, y. " ana Tor depof-
tatiou,
when the crew Of the Frye had
been landed they were taken 10 the
customs house and made sworn stale-
mcnts of circumstances attending tae
sinking of the ship January 2S, lnsi
)ff the river Plata Collector llam-
lton took the statements ana also
prepared a joint summary of condi~
ions which the members Of the crew
signed to be forwarded to WashlnE-
on tomorrow. They were not made
public.
No Conflict of Testimony.
There was no conflict Of testi-
nony by members of the crew as to I
he circumstances surrounding the de-
of the Frye" said Mr. Ham
ltcn today. 'All were in line with
he details given by Captain Kiehne,
master of the ship, who has said that J
lis ship was blown up with her cargo !
,f wheat for Queenstown after The y
rev had been warned to board the ]
icrmau cruiser" y
All but two members Of the Frye's I
rev left the Prinz IIitel today They Z
we're German subjects Charlts Frank ]