The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-15

\ vessels condition.
| With the exact date at hand, the request
OF the Russian commander that he be al
lowed to repair and leave the port could
be met without delay by the granting of
| permission TO remain for the period esti-
| mated by the naval board Of experts from
the American feet. II, on the other hand,
Capt. Berlinsky, as Is most probable, re-
| quests that he be allowed to inferno his
| vessel at San Francisco harbor during the
continuance OF hostilities, the question Of
fact as to the Lena g condition becomes OF
secondary importance. A solution Of the
| questions involved, through the later re-
| quest would be most welcome in Washing
| ton.
Tomorrow will undoubtedly be the
crucial day In the situation. With the re-
! port Of Admiral Goodrich 8 experts before
them, the officials OF the Washington Gov
! eminent will be prepared for whatever
| contingency may arise.
TALK OF MORE CRUISERS COMING.
State and Navy Department officials are
very much interested in the report con-
tanned in newspaper dispatches that one or
more Russian auxiliary cruisers will follow
/ the example OF the Lena and enter Pacific
Coast ports for provisions and coal. There
is a fervent hope in Washington that such
will not be the case, although as a matter
OF fact repetition OF the Iona incident
, would not. by any means, cause such a
stir in Washington as did the arrival OF
that vessel last Sunday.
| The precedent having Been established,
there will be better knowledge Of just
! what course to pursue, and the machinery
OF official elaboration and decision will
! work more smoothly in consequence. IL
/ other Russian vessels are on their way to
American ports. officials in Washington say
that there may be naval engagement Of
! some consequence in the Pacific Ocean
not far from the American coast before
| very long. Some people here believe that
| Japanese warships are even now speeding
across the Pacific to intercept the Lena,
in case she should leave port, and any other
Russian auxiliary cruisers that may have
been sent out to harass Japanese and
American ships carrying alleged contraband
! OF war to Japan.
NEW INSPECTION UNDER WAY
SAN Francisco, Sept. 1.-THE con-
viction is growing stronger here that the
Russian cruiser Lena will have to dis
mantle. Although Admiral Goodrich will
X
plain that he can see no way out OF the
dilemma but that Of dismantling. He said
| to-day that the decision would rest on the
report made by three navy experts who
are now carefully examining the Lena's
boilers but he added that the Russian
Government could cut the Gordian knot by
ordering the dsmantling herself, and thus
| save this Government trouble and RESPONSE
| bility.
To-day board composed OF Lieutenant
| Commanders j. c. Leonard and j. X. Palmer
and Lieut.. William D. Leahy began the
work of inspecting tho cruisers boilers to
determine how extensive the repairs would
have to be to make her seaworthy Upon
this report final decision viii be made.
The discrepancies between the reports
OF Lieutenant-C Commander Herbert and
Capt. Bulger. United States Inspector Of
Boilers and Hulls, were due to different
ways OF regarding the work. Bulger re-
ported that repairs could be made In thirty
days. but he meant by working three shifts
Of eight hours each and such repairs as
would only give the vessel a speed OF eight
or ten knots.
All experts agree that with trifling re-
pairs the cruiser would not be seaworthy
and that she might break down when only
a few days from port. In the present
typhoon season in Oriental waters, 1t would
be counting destruction to cross the Pacific
with defective machinery Of any kind.
The report from St. Paul that Count
Yama Osichi declares that the Lena was
chased almost to ths Oregon coast by
Japanese cruisers is laughed at here.
Consul Uyeno says no such Count exists
and that IL Japanese cruisers were in these
waters he would have known it. All ex-
perts who have examined the Lena say
that there are no traces of gunshots in the
vessels machinery or superstruct'ire.
Capt. Berlinsky Of the Lena and Russian
Committeeman Korakevitch visited the
Mare Island Navy Yard to-day as guests OF
Admiral MoCalla-
1t Is regarded as significant tht the Gov
eminent has selected mooring place for
the Lena at Mare Island in case she is dis
m8ntled.
RUSSIAN NEWSPAPER CHoRTLEs.
ST. PETERSBURG, Sept. 1.-THE Noroe
Vremya editorially expresses satisfaction
that the sudden appearance Of the Russian
auxiliary cruiser Lena at San Francisco
struck fear into the breasts OF those en-
gagged in the contraband trade.
1t adds caustically that II was found
immeasurably easier to despatch a whole
squadron against the Sultan than to re-
ceive one Russian transport.