The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-12
CAUSES A STIR.
Arrival of q Russian Vessel at
San Francisco
May Lead to international Com
plicatiOns.
PUTS In FOR REPAIRS.
She Is the Transport Lena from
VladivostOk.
A Protest from japan Is Likely
to Follow.
PUTS in FOR REPAIRS.


was a disagreeable event for it had
been hoped by the officials that Ameri-
ca would escape being drawn into the
necessity of making close decisions re-
specting the rights of the belligerent
vessels in our ports.
Secretary Morton promptly sought
the advice of the state department,
sending Captain Pillsbury, acting chief
of the navigation bureau over to see
Acting Secretary Adee. The latter in
turn called for Judge Penffeld, the de-
partment solicitor and conference
was held lasting half an hour. Then
the statement was made that after all
this was not a matter which at this
stage concerned the state departing
but rather it is within the jurisdiction
of the treasury departm The pres
ence of the Russian transport, so
called, in San Francisco harbor, in
wolves the United States neutrality
laws and it was said at the state de-
partment that it was the duty under
the presidents proclamation of neu-
trality for the treasury officials there
the collector of customs and surveyor
OF the port and district attorney in
San Francisco to take any action nee
essary in this matter. In other words
the case is purely internal as it stands
though it may become external at any
moment and thus require action by the
state department in the event that an
fcially calls attention to the Lena's
presence in San Francisco harbor
1t is said at the state department
that in International law there is no
difference recognized between a trans
port and a battleship, though there
seemed to be an intimation conveyed
in the San Francisco dispatches that
the captain of the Russian ship
thought otherwise and was disposed to
claim exemption from the rules of war
aDDlVinR to naval ShinS
That being the case it is probable
that the government here will follow
closely the course pursued by Ger
many, France and China in cases
where Russian naval vessels sought
shelter in tn cir harbors. The first thing
to be done is to find out the exact con-
d1tton of the Lena and whether or not
there actually exists need for repairs.
If it should appear that the vessel is
really seaworthy she must go to sea
at once or at least with twenty-four
hours of the notice to our officials of
her arrival in port. She may take on
a supply. of coal, but only enough to
take her to the nearest home port,
with the understanding that the, coal is
to be used for no other purpose.
American ports must not be made the
base of hostile operations against bel
Port Arthur and Vladivos-
tok are the nearest home ports to San
Francisco.
In the event that repairs are found
to be actually necessary the time al
lowed for them by our government
though it is understood that they
must not proceed beyond a point just
sufficient to make her Seaworthy, she
will be allowed to depart for Russia if
she takes coal at San Francisco or
whence she pleases if she goes out I'M
der her own coal supply.
1t is believed at the navy department
that the conditions will not be allowed
to shape themselves so that the Lena
can go out of San Francisco harbor to |
prey on American commerce, even |
though this is carried in Japanese bot |
toms. In fact the impression prevails |
that the Lena will be tied UP at San
Francisco until the end of the war, the !
crew remaining on board if the Jap |
anese government does not object and |
this is not likely in view of the preced- |
emit established in the case of the AS
kold, or they will be comfortably quar- |
tered at the training quarters, Yerba |
Buena Island, in the middle of the har- |
Dor. 1t is believed that the Russian |
will not be in adverse to this interment |
IS he probably is a refugee and without |
nope of being able to keep the seas
and escape the penalty of neutrality |
avs until some opportunity affords for |
1im to carry the Lena safely through |
he Japanese blockade into Vladivos-
-ock.
Minister Takahira is not expected to
return to Washington until this after
noon. Meanwhile telegram has been
received at the Japanese legation here
oy Mr.. Hiroki, first secretary, from KiS-
sburo Ureno. the Japanese consul gem
eral at San Francisco. reporting the ar
-ival of the Lena and giving sUsstan-
tally the same explanation of her pres
.nce as was contained in the news dis
patches printed this morning. 1t is ex-
oected that the Japanese minister will
make this declaration the basis of rep
to the state department.
Puts in at Frisco.
San Francisco, Sept. 1.-THE state
nent that the Russian cruiser Lena
eft Vladivostok 81 days ago and ar
lived here with foul boilers has
Lroused considerable speculation and
discussion. The average time of a
airly fast steamer from the Russian
BORT to San Francisco is from % to 80
lays. Local shipping men incline to
he belief that the Lena has been out
rom Vladivostok longer than month
md has been so long patrolling the
cas- in search of Japanese merchant
nen and other vessels carrying contra
,and that she was forced to put in
lere for renovation.
Another surnise is that the Lena
vas so long out without getting sight
# a prize that she put in here for in
ormation concerning the movements
# the enemy's vessels and for further
This step. it is claimed,
he was clearly entitled to take under
he neutrality laws, affordinS her "a
lours' stay and that the move was
onsidered safe may be judged from
he known absence of japanese war
hips in this vicinity.
Admiral Whiting has notified the
authorities of the arrival
( the Lena and has asked for in
tructions-
Washington Hears of 1t.
Washington, Sept 1.-THE navy
epartment today received a dispatch |
rom Rear Admiral Goodrich. COM 7
1andant of the Pacific station. stating s
hat the Russian transport Lena had /
rrived and that her commanding Of i
Ger claimed that his shiQ's engines ]