Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-09-15


| sky commanding the RUSSIAN ship
| Lena at San Francisco has informed
Rear Admiral Goodrich he desires to
dismantle his ship and has asked to
what extent this dismantlement should
| be made. Goodrich has called on the
| navy department for instructions on
this point and details are now being
worked out.
President Approves.
This afternoon Acting Secretary
Adee received telegram from the
president at Oyster Bay approving the
program he had arranged for the de-
tanning of the Lena and instructions
were Immediately telegraphed to Ad-
miral Goodrich at San Francisco to tie
up the ship. The disposition of the
crew will be arranged for later.
Roosevelt Gives Orders.
Washington. d. c., Sept. 15.-"Oys-
ter Bay. Sept. 14-If the captain of
the Lena has indicated his intention
to repair and disarm his vessel, have
his request complied with by Good
rich. If such request has not been
made, inform the captain of the Lena
and the Russian ambassador that this
government must be Immediately in
formed whether such request will be
made. If it is not made the United
States will make official examination,
demanding immediate disarmament to
the end of the war if necessary re-
pairs require long time.
(Signed
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
The foregoing is the full text of tho
important telegraphic instruction Civ
en- the state department by the presi-
dent personally. The telegram indl-
Gates that Russia will be made TO de-
clare her intentions with respect to
the Lena.
There can be no quibbling if this or
der of the president is insisted on.
Acts without Reports.
The president has acted, although
it is still denied at the departments,
that full reports have been received
from Inspector of Hulls Bulger at San
Francisco or from Rear Admiral Good
rich himself who was designated by
the president with authority to act.
II appears. however, that the presi-
dent, having designated Goodrich to
act. could not let go. but continues to
issue the instructions just as if he had
no representative at San Francisco.
Move is OmInous.
Victoria. b. c., Sept. 15.-The Brit
ish ship Grafton. flagship of the Pa
cific squadron, returned Unexpectedly
TO Esquimalt early Tuesday. making
the trip from Como under forced
draught. and in record time. She is
now in Esquimalt harbOr making
ready for sea and will not finish her
gun practice at Como at present.
The cause Of the GraftOn's return
from Como is connected with the ap-
pearance Of the Russian auxiliary
cruiser Lena in San Francisco. 1t is
understood the Grafton is under ca
blcd orders from the British admir-
atty 10 protect British shipping on the
American side at all costs. It depends
upon the decision OF the United States
regarding the Lena. whether the Graf
ton will proceed south to watch her
and if any British merchantmen be
molcsted, capture and sink her.
TO Intercept Vessel.
Should the American governments
dccISIOl Df dn DIuti ~ tHt l%'Hd ~
quit San Francisco harbOr within "a
hours. it is expected the Grafton will
leave Esquimalt harbOr at her best
speed, with the object Of interccpting
the Rupssians off the California coast.
A significant circumstance connected
with the Grafton's sudden and unex-
pected appearance in Esquimalt is that
ali shore leave has been indefinitely
suspended. The big cruiser also main
tains steam pressure at an unusual
strength, as if expecting TO use it at Il
moments notice.