The Washington times., 1915-04-12

best evidence of this is the anger dis
played by the German embassy here in
the recent undiplomatic and ill-advised
statement given out from there con-
cerning the demand made on the State
Department for an investigation as to
the stopping of this vessel in San Juan
Harbor.
On the face Of things. t looks as II
the halting of tho Odenwald removed
the most substantial hope the German
government had Of aiding the kron-
pr!nZ Wilhelm. that the last vestige OF
hope was removed when it was found
to be suicidal for the Eitel to do other
wise than intern, and that then the
kronprinz Wilhelm concluded to slip
into Hampton Roads. If possible. and
seek the protection of neutral waters.
The movements OF the German vessels
nave. to all appearances, been directed
by the German admiralty. though more
or less indirect means. The details or
communication are not clearly known.
Admiration For Raiders.
Admiration is felt in naval circles here
for the work OF the German sea raiders
and the officers who have commanded
them. When CAPTAIN Thierichens slipped
into Hampton Roads, after rowing the
waters for seven months and eluding
capture. this feeling found free vent.
That the krorprtnz Wilhelm should
have done still better and should have
done the daring deed of going into the
same harbor as the Eitel. at time
when British cruisers We're supposedly
on the alert. Compels still more admira-
ton. Il looks as if the commander of
tho Kronprinz banked on the idea that
the British would not be looking for him
! to repeat the EiteIs performance Of en-
terng Hampton Roads, and that his
understa ndinS OF the psychology Of the
situation was correct.
Arrival of the kronprinz Wilhelm at
Newport News just at this time was dis
hor 70
partment
1t means that during the entire time
that the British blockadins fleet is held
off the Virginia capes. which may be
thirty days if the Prinz Eitel precedent
is followed. it will be in tho way of the
Atlantic feet. now in the Roads, getting
ready for spring target practice In Tan
! gier Sound.
The feet steaming IN and out must
watch out for the British and French
blockaders, and the possibility. of an
American warship being mistaken for
the German raider. and possibly greeted
| with a broadside will always be
present.
The Navy Department, however is
| better prepared than ever to enforce
! ncutralit When the Eitel situation
| became threatening Secretary Daniels
! detached the reserve battleship Aia-
! harna from tho Philadelphia yard. but
| toda,. he has the entire strength of the
modern American navy on the srounu
| where 1t can be used for any emergency.
Expect Ship To Intern.
Officials here declare they have no
doubt that the kronprinz Wilhelm put
into Newport News to intern. But in
| accordance with precedent. Commander
| Thierfeldt will not do so until he has
! exhausted every excuse to remain. So
! long as he Is not interned he forces
| the British French blockading squadron
to remain on watch off the Virginia
| capes.
| SO far as is now known here there Is
| no longer a single German commerce
! destroyer on the high seas. II she is
| not to allow the allied commerce free
| passage once it gets beyond the zone
Of submarine activity, another raiding
squadron must put to sea. And Off
cials here say that it must come from
German waters. as the German vessels
| now in American ports are unarmed