Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-06
'CL|MAX IS NEAR At HAND
IN CASE OF PR|Nz E|TEL
What Nature Of 1t Will BE Is Care
fully Screened From
Public.
DASH OR INTERNM MENT
Intense Activity Among Government
Officials at Newport News and
Washington Leads to Belief That
Something Important Is Pending.

NEWPORT NEWS. VA. April 5.-Ac-
tivity OF officials OF the Washington
government with relation to the Ger
man merchant raider Prinz Eitel Fried :
rich, which has been in refuge at this
port for nearly month, assumed the
most active stage to-day and tonight
that has been apparent since the neu-
trality problems prccipltated by the ar
rival Of the war vessel were confronted.
Late to-day important interchanges
between the Treasury De-
partmeft and Collector of Customs
Hamilton after the latter had con-
ferred with Rear-Admiral Beatty. COM
mandnnt of the Norfolk Navy Yard,
and with Rear-Admiral Helm on board
the battleship Alabama which guards
the channel to the sea from Norfolk
and Newport News. Tonight, as a re-
suit OF the chain Of negotiations be-
tween the Treasury and Navy Depart
ment officials, Collector Hamilton went
on board tho Prinz Eitel and consulted
with Captain Max Thierichens, COM
mander OF the German ship At 9
o'clafk the collector left the EiteI
steamed out TO Hampton Roads, where
he again boarded the Alabama
Rear-Admiral Beatty and STAFF yis-
tied the Eitel Friedrich late in tho af
ternoon.
COMMANDER PAYS RESPECTS
TO AMERICAN ADMIRAL,
Another development Of tho day was
visit of Commander Thierichens to
the American battleshlp. where he paid
his respects to Admiral Helm. Whether
any official significance attached to this
visit could not be ascertained. Arrival
OF two big tugs at the Eiters pier
early In the day gave rise to reports
mat the German ship was about to be
moved. When the commercial tugs
reached tho shipyard they steamed
alongside the navy-yard patrol boat
anchored at the Eiters stern, and were
given directions by the officer in COM
mand before they tied up to adjacent
piers Reports that internment pro-
cesses had been instituted were freely
circulated. but that such n consummn-
ton OF the Issue has not developed
seemed assured here tonight That
the climax In the case Is near at hand.
however, was evident on all sides, par
ticulariy in view of the unusual ac-
tivity of the representatives OF the
american government In charge OF the
situation.
lf the Eitel Friedrich is to attempt
10 run the blockade fleet OF the allies
OF the virginia coast. the conviction
mere Is that the perilous efforts must
be made In the immediate future
british merchant ships, however. were
cleared from here as late as o'clock
to-day plan to hold up clearances
Of merchant ships of the German
enemy after IL o'clock noon. having
been changed at the eleventh hour
BRITISH GOVERNMENT
TAKES OFFICIAL NOTICE
That agents OF the British govern
ment have taken official notice OF facts
relating to the Prinz Eltel also was
reported here tonight. Early in the
day Barton Myers. British vice-consuI
ut Norfolk. discussed phases OF tho
matter with the collector of customs
The subject of the conference could not
be learned In view of extraordinary
precautions being taken by govern
ment officials. 1t was understood
however. that the British vice-consul
was advised to take up the matters he
presented through the British ambas-
sador with the State Department at
washington Some complaint, II 4,
understood. has been made on the part
or Great Britain that the German
cruiser has been permitted to exceed
the time she should be permitted to re-
main In an American port under regu
lations governing belligerent warships
i'll neutral ports
To-day was q veritable holiday for
the crew of the Prinz Eitel. The ma
)ority were permitted on shore almost
unrestricted. They made merry in
Newport News. Norfolk and Old Point