Evening journal., 1915-04-12
GERMAN RAIDER
PLANSSEA dash
Within Z weeks
Captain Thierfeldt Says
Kronprinz Wilhelm Will
be Supplied by That Time
british STEAMSHIPS
Load Horses NEARBY
By The United Press.


NORFOLK, Va, April 12.-The
converted cruiser Kronprinz Wilhelm
was taking on supplies at Newport
News today
Surrounding the raider we're a half
dozen British steamships awaiting
cargoes OF horses.
Captain Thierfeldt, said he would
be ready for sea in two weeks.
No official cognizanee had yet been
taken of reports that the German
vessel cleared irregularly when It
left New York last. Thierfeldt ad-
mitted the ship cleared for Bremen
and did not go there but explained
that its orders we're changed by
wireless.
Port authorities said the matter
would be investigated.
Collector OF the Port Hamilton ask
ed the German commander to make
all possible haste with his estimating
the time the Kronprinz would need
TO remain at Newport News. Custom
officials permitted the converted
cruiser to take on fresh vegetables,
neat, 200 gallons of water, necessa-
ries for relief of the beri-beri suf-
ferers on board and fifty tons of
coal
The crews water had been limited
for ten days to a decidedly brackish
supply from the condensors and there
was a rush for the tanks today as
soon as the work of refilling began
No pretense had yet been made OF
furnishing the vessel for what II
would need for a transatlantic voy-
age. II was expected that, by Tues
day, the craft would tie up at pier in
the Newport News shipyard.
The landing of the 81 prisoners
held on board was looked for before
nightfall. II was expected the British
consul would take charge of them
preliminary TO returning them to Eng
land. None had yet been permitted I,
talk TO newspaper men, but CaptaiI
Creighton, of the destroyed STEAMSHIP
Coleby shouted over the Kronprinzi
stern that he was looking to b.
ashore soon.
That the raider would intern. ex
perts deemed certain. Captain Thier
feldt declared. indeed, that his shiI
had more work to do on the high seas
adding. 1--WE are too speedy to b.
caught unless they take US un
awares." but naval constructors as
serted the vessel needed more repair
on its hull than did even the Prin
Eitel Friedrich. though its ma
chinery was in better condition.
It's bottom, they said, was thickl.
covered with seaweeds. its port sid
was damaged just aft the pilot hous
TO the first-class saloon entrance, IL
decks were torn up inside the cabins
where coal was poured into the bunk
ers. several of its plates were spruni
below the waterline. it had taken il
considerable water and it showed
II degree list to port.
According to officers of the Prin
Eitel Friedrich, which interned her
last week, the failure of the Britis
feet off the capes, to prevent the vii
helm from entering port in safet
would cost the English Admiral HI
command.
Navigators said, in fact, that tn
Wilhelm's exploit was more remark
able than the Eitels. It vas abou
200 miles off the capes at z p. m, SAT-
urday. After that hour, despite II
condition, it maintained a % 2-5 kno
speed for nine hours.
The theory mere was lhdI Oou
mander Thierichens. Of the Elite
knew the Wilhelm's position for day
and pretended constantly to be on tn
verge of a dash to sea for the pur
pose of delaying the British war yes
sells OFF the capes until the Wilhelm
could get into New York.
The report circulated here that q
Wilhelm finally received word by wir
less from the Eitcl that the hlockadir
squadron of the capes, had really re
laxed its vigilance and that Newpo
News would be safer haven than Il
other government officials said. If tn
was true, the message must have be'
sent last Thursday night or trida
morning, as the EitePs wireless was dl
mantled Friday afternoon at the No
folk navy yard.
Collector Hamilton was said to ha
notified the Nilhelm's commander IN
he might use his wireless for receiNm
but 10 have asked him not to send.
Captain Thierleldt of the Nllhel
and Commander Thierichcns, OF {
Eitel were scheduled to dine togeth