Evening star., 1915-04-08
ThierichenS Asks Permit
to Intern When Ordered
to Sail by 4 Am. Today


with the internment today of the Ger
man auxiliary cruiser Prinz Eitel
Friedrich and her crew the commerce
destroyer ended her spectacular war
career. Details of the actual intern
ment of the Prinz Eitel before being
taken to the Norfolk navy yard, where
she will remain until the end of the
war. were worked out at a conference
early today between Admiral Fletcher,
commandef-in-chie of the Atlantic
feet; Rear Admirals Helm Of the bat
mandant Of the Norfolk navy yard
and Collector of the Port Hamilton
Decision of Commander Thierichens
Of the Prinz Eitel to intern his ship
perative notice from the United States
government early last night that the
time for his stay in this port would
expire at midnight. Had he not asked
to intern his ship Commander Thierich-
ems would have been compelled to de-
part from American waters not later
than 4 am. today.
In requesting permission of the
Washington government to intern
Commander Thierichens explained that
failure of expected relief to arrive"
made the step necessary rather than
deliver crew and ship to fruitIess and
certain destruction by British and
French warships waiting Off the Vir-
ginia capes." 1t was said that he had
expected German warships to arrive
to aid him in eluding the allied war
ships.
Hamilton Sends Reply.
Early in the day Collector OF Customs
Hamilton sent to Commander Thierichens
the following reply to his letter Of last
night announcing his intention to intern
his ship:
Commander s NJ s. Prinz EiteI Fried.
rich
Sir: have to acknowledge receipt of
your letter of April z. informing me Of
your Intention to intern g. NJ 8. Pnnz
Eitel Friedrich and your expectation OF
my governments further orders
These orders will come to YOU short
" through the United States Navv
Until such time you will occupy your
with renewed assurances Of nv best
consideration,
fSigned)
NORMAN R. HAMILTON.
collector"
Asks for Instructions.
After the conference OF government
officials. Admiral Helm asked for in
structions from the Navy Department
at Washington to details of intern
formulated at Washington
Commander Thierichens turned ov.r
20 the naval authorities three men he
had been holding on his ship who had
applied for enlistment in the German
navy. The officers of the naval parroi
IN the James river planned to send
them here to the customs authorities
later in the day
Notice of Internment.
Following is the announcement hand
ed Collector Hamilton ~ the com
mauder:
u inform YOU I intend to intern 8
NJ ;. Prinz Eitel Friedrich. The re-.
lief | expect appear not to arrive in
time, SO the number and force NJ N.
enemy cruiser watching the entrance
of the bay makes to me Impossible ~ :
dash for the open sea wi.a any hone ~
success. have decided not to deIivo, :,
crew an,. ship to the fruitless and c..
tain destruction. Being obliged To- 81.
courtesy shown by all United St,ta.
authorities. ! am expecting your or
ders. ! have sent the same informa-
tion to Rear Admiral Helm, y. 8
Alabama. Respectfully.
= lsigned) 'THiERIcHENs.
The German commander was much
depressed as he delivered his messs rs
In fact, he said that the course he " : :
compelled to pursue had much disturb
ed his peace of mind and strength OF
body. But he had bowed to the inevif.
able because Of the futility of coping
with the superior naval force of the
emmy At the Virginia capes.
A. soon As Collector Hamilton had
lCentinusd on sixtssnth Pagel