The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-15
Four Men of War Cruising
 Outside Virginia Capes
 Watching Every Move ment of German Cruiser
PORT AUTHORITIES
 WANT INSTRUCTIONS
 FROM WASHINGTON
Several Involved Questions Pertaining to Vessel Must Be Worked Out by State Department

DepdI tltttiit
 Newport News. va.. March IA. French as well as British warships are cruising outside the Virginia capes waiting to bounce on the Ger man commerce destroyer Prinz Eitel Friedrich if she attempts to make her the high seas again. There are said to be four men of war, two British and two French, and they have come to stay until the Eitel Friedrich reap pears or interns for the war. An officer of the English freighter An | slo-Pategonian, which arrived here yes terday. told tonight of the watching crui- sers and from him 1t became known for the first time that the movements of the Eitel Friedrich were known to the allies. war craft for several days before she sought haven in Hampton Roads
 According to the officers story. the Anglo-Pategonian was warned last Sun day by Il British cruiser thai the German ship was about and told to slow up. Dur ing the next three days. he said. his ship made less than 300 knots Then. on "Wednesday came this relieving message through the air from the British war ship:
 "The nitel Friedrich has passed into the Virginia Capes and will never como out alive"
 1 It is understood the allied squadron made every effort to head off the German. but could not come up with him or reach the capes first. tt
 NeMport News. ya., Allreh i4,--pou authorities here arc awaitIng instructions from Washington regarding representa- l tions to be made to Commander Thlef - l fchens Of the German cruiser Prinz Eitei l Friedrich, concerning the detention of Charles Frank and Robert Rogge mem- bers of the crew of the American sailing ship William P. Frye. sunk in the south Atlantic January &. by the German com merce destroyer.
 sworn statements have been made to the collector of customs by other mem- bers of the Erye's crew that one of these mon is being detained against his VIII. and the question Is whether the German commander has a right to take men from an American ship and hold them for ser vice in tho German navy even if they are Germans and subject to such military ser vice. Collector Hamilton. il is learned. has received word to make no move until he receives instructions from the treas uty department, which yesterday referred the subject to the Secretary of State.
 Commander Therlchens still delays rec ply to Collector Hamiton's twice repeated request for formal notification to the Washington government of the time lie wishes fof repairs to his vessel. He has estimated that probably three weeks will be required, but has made no specific request for time The naval board of survey will resume it's examination of the cruiser tomorrow to see what repairs arc necessary to make her seaworthy.
 To Remove Immigrants
 Immigration officials here today re- eel, ed authorization from Washington to remove from the Elte Friedrich the 7J Portuguese, French and Turkish inrni- grants taken from the sunSen French passenger Floride. Under guard of inni grafton inspectors, they will be sent to Ell Island and from there to south America by the French line. which orig nelly undertook to transport them from France. Nearly all the immigrants are ineligible for admission to the United States
 Curious folil flocked here today to view the German cruiser Visitors were not permitted tu beard the ship, but hundreds obtained entrance to the shipyard and gazed at her as she lay at her dock sil houelted against the shining red hull of the United States battleship Pennsyl- vania, largest varship in the world, which will be laCnChed Tuesday.
 Apparently the one hope that officers and crew cherish is that some night. when the fog is heavy and the watch of the British warships off the capes lags. the Etel may push her brow out into AtI n ..f...,
 You have no idea what it means to lie idle tere when we know they are fight ing at home," said Captain Thlerichens today. Why, even when we were out there chasing enemy ships and lodging war vessels We could not help feeling that all the things that were happening at home would be only printed history for usf
 The i.3res, we ever came to real ac- tion, tile captain explained, "was during the battle off Chile. l did not see that but 1 heard 1t.
 ,I was with our opera tor and I heard the Scharnhorst give the orders whe,i the British ships were sighted. l heard the flagship call. Clear for action. 1 listened to every command until the baI- tie was ended, and I knew the Monmouth was sinking.
 The news of the other engagement in the Atlantic. the captain said was hot lsrpwn to the Eitel's men until long after their comrades had been defeated. A
 Makes No Comment
 When the captain heard for the first time details of Hindenburgs campaign, tho attack on the Dardanelles. and Eng lands blockade he made comment. but when he was shown facmile of the irca rings that German women arc wear ing as proof of that they gave gold for iron for the fatherland.' he seemed deep ly moved
 "Ah." he exclaimed. slowly turning the iron band dsmarked with it's black cross. that makes one proud "
 The crew of the Eitel declare them selves grateful for the hospitaIity ac- ccrded them here
 You Americans have been kind to my ship since she has been here. l realize the difficult task before the collector of the port In enforcing neutrality. Mr.