The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-03-11

understand. And the women. how they
might have suffered had thev suspect
ed that at any moment they might
have been sent to the bottom of the
sea by torpedo, perhaps even from s
ship which flew the dag they loved "
The sudden arrival of the German
cruiser in Hampton Roads and in the
James later at Newport News. demon
allied shipping from these ports, but
two British ships later in the day,
their commanders believing the Eitel
Friedrich would be interned, ventur-
ing to sea-. One was the Anglo Mexi.
can bound for Avonmouth with honses
for England and the other was the
British steamer Boltam Hall with
wheat for Italy.
1t was stated here early to-day that
a number of Enelishmen held on board
the German warship had refused to
agree not to bear arms against Ger
many and her allies.
Eitel Commanders Birthday
Early to-day the band on the Htel
Friedrich was playing German nation.
al aires in celebration of the birthday
of Commander Thierichen, her cap
tain. All but port officials were still
barred from her decks.
Captain Kiehne, of the Frye, came
ashore TO make further statement.
He said the crew of the Frye would be
brought ashore later TO be question
ed.
At clock this morning the Eitel
Friedrich had been in Hampton Roads
4 Of I'm
tention to move were apparent. British
cruisers were indefinitely reported lurk-
ing off the Virginia Cages and ooat-
man who delivered papers to officers of
the German cruiser declared members
of her crew had told him the Eitel ac
tually had been chased into American
waters by British cruisers. Most OF
the survivors of the British. French
and Russian sunken merchantmen, ex,
eept some of the first lass passengers
of the French steamship Floride, still
remained aboard the Eitel and a few
on shore are in charge of immigration
officials.
Cruiser May Be Interned/
''When l returned to the Eitel last
night said Captain kiehne, "the
German officers all seemed assured that
the ship would be interned but talked
little. They were most concerned last
night in celebrating birthday of one
of the officers and anticipating tine
captain s birthday to-day.
Collector Hamilton received written
instructions from Washington to govern
his course with the Eitel Friedrich and
he at once gave Commander Thierieh-
sen formal notice to leave within twen-
tyfour hours. unless reason for longer
stay in a neutral port could be ad-
vanced.
tine German commander told me, -
said Collector Hamilton, THAT he had
come IN for repairs TO his ship. That
reason was sufficient to prevent any
summary orders from this government.
To-day | shall ask the commander for
a sworn statement as to his reasons for
sinking the American snip Frye. When
this has been received, will take ~.
with him the nature of repairs neces.
sary to make his shi . seaworthy. Upon
this will be determined how long this
government will permit the Eitel to
remain in American waters without in
ternment.
Asks for the Frye's Papers
II have asked the German COM
mander for the Frye's papers. He thus
far has maintained that the papers must
go to a prize court, but has agreed to
submit to me later to-day copy OF
them. When the captain of the. Frye
asked for his papers, Commander
rhieriehsen told him, as he afterward
Informed me, that he had not conceded
to the American master the right to the |
papers and stated his contention tina;
they should be sent to Germany. Hu; /
ne cheerfully agreed to have copies /
made"
As soon as Commander Thierichsen |
submit the nature of the repairs neces- |
'ary to the Eitel, report will be .or,
xarded to Washington. Upon that viii |
De determined the question of intern, |
nent. The ships papers of all the
Eitel Friedrich S prizes, also have been |
likewise eonfiscated by the German com.
nander.
British Warships Chased the Eitel
Officers of the Eitel Friedrich re.
main silent as to the operations of the
hip in Pacific waters, except to DENY
hat she took part in any naval engage
nents. 1t was reported, however. that
he also sank the British steamer
,chargost, in the Pacific, and that sne
|