Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-09-13

Lena on board the vessel. They could
not be seen. Lieutenant Iotoff, speak
ing for the captain. stated that the
main object of the Russian vessel IN
making this port was to have absolute
ly necessary repairs made to her en-
gines and boilers. Her bottom is foul
and will have to be cleaned in dry
dock The lieutenant said that the
Lena's coal bunkers were far from be-
ing depleted. and he thought it would
be unnecessary for her to coal at this
port.
The United States inspectors OF hulls
and boilers have been ordered to make
q thorough examination of the Lena,
and on their report will largely depend
the duration of the stay of the vessel
in this bay. If 1t is decided that re-
pairs are required, they will be made
as rapidly as possible. and it is gen.
orally anticipated that this is what
will be done.
Collector of the Port Stratton has not
received any definite instructions from
Washington. but has wired full state
ment of the situation and an answer is
soon expected,
In the meantime, the collector in
view Of the fact that the repairs are
said to be imperative, has refused to
order the Lena from the harbor within
twenty-four hours without full inyes-
tigation.
The Lena is anchored between the
four army transports lying In Mission
bay and the new battleship Ohio. In
fact, she is only about 500 yards from
the big guns Of the battleship. which
was accepted by the government on
Saturday.
Jackies Line the Rail-
Going alongside the dark hull. line
of Russian tackles were seen along the
rail. AT the top of the boarding ladder
a file of marines were drawn up on
the deck, and an officer. wearing the
white cap that war illustrations have
made familiar. blocked the way but
afterwards pointed towards the cabin
The saloon OF the Lena is spacious
apartment. as the vessel was pas
senger liner before the war. AT one
end Of the tables group Of officers
were drinking coffee and smoking Rus
sian cigarettes.
Navigating officer Speckneff. who
spoke excellent English. said: We
were sent to Vladivostok to transfer
the troops home when the war should
be over. The Lena is not warship.
We cannot fight.
Needing repairs we were first or
dered back to the Baltic. Afterward
these orders were changed and we have
come here because 1t is the nearest
port in which we could get the new
boilers we needi'
Being asked how long he would re-
main here. Officer Specimen said: I'VE
expect orders from our naval repre-
sentative at Washington, who has just
been advised of our arrival. 1t is
probable that he will ask the American
government for it's permission to re-
move the guns from our decks and al
low the vessel to remain here until re-
pairs can be finished"
Remain Till War is Over.
When asked how long he thought
that would require. he said: "The
Lena will probably remain here until
the war is over. We expect that the
officers and crew will be sent home
by the way of New York
And then he added: 'It is hard to be
so far away from the war when one
can only make record by fighting"
On the deck were between two and
three hundred sailors. Among them
was a priest Of the Russian Greek
church with long hair and uncut
beard, wearing solft felt hat and what
looked like a gray kimona. Silently he
stood at the rail, counting his beads
and looking at the tall buildings of the
strange city.
An inspection of the decks Of the
converted cruiser, to which no objection
was made revealed the fact that she
had mounted twenty-five guns.
Speaking with another of the officers
the question Of the safety of the Pa
cific mail steamer, and the matter Of
contraband Of war was brought up.
.Ah, that is thing of the past. We
cannot fight" he said, as he looked at
the guns of the Ohio. "But," he added,
eff the government will not let us dis
mantle the ship, we will have to make
hasty repairs and put out to sea-