Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-09-15
PROTEST TO THE U. S.
Japan Demands That Russian Cruiser
Lena Leave.
A Big STIR IN OFFICIAL CIRCLES.
Rear Admiral Goodrich Instructed to Detain
tho Pacific Squadron at San Francisco
Captain Of the Russian Ship Will Be Ordered
10 Sail or Disarm Ills Vessel and Remain
Until the War Is Over.

Washington, ID. c. (SpeciaD.-Ihe
expected protest of Japan against al
lowing the Russian auxiliary cruiser
Lena, which arrived at San Francisco
Sunday, to remain longer than "a
hours came Monday, when the Jap
anese consul in that city, through the
collector of customs, made formal de-
mand that the vessel be required to
leave at the end of that time.
Secretary Morton has telegraphed I'd
Rear Admiral Goodrich, commander
in-chef Of the Pacific Station, direct
iug him to dctan the Pacific Squadron
at San Francisco and to inquire of the
commander of the Lena what his i'll
%entions arc.
The collectors telegram, officially
notifying the authorities of the ar
rival of the Lena and of Japan's pro-
test, was addressed to the Secretary
of the Treasury, who at once sent
copies to Acting Secretary of State
Nutt anu ihNtlhS s'AN'Nlh'N i''',"-
Of the Department of Commerce and
Labor, who has direct jurisdiction III
the matter. The telegram reads As
follows:
Japanese consul has made demand
upon me that Russian auxiliary cruiser
Lena, arriving at this port nth inst.
leave within II hours. The captain
reports that he has entered for re
pairs of engines and boilers, primer
paly the latter am requesting the
nspcctor of hulls and boilers to make
an examination of vessels machinery
with the consent Of the Russian con
sui and the commander OF the Lena
Can find no authority i'll the law or
regulations for the collector asaum-
ing any authority i'll the premises and
request Instructions
After a conference with the Com
missioner of Navigation, Acting Sec
rctary Murray sent the following dis
patch to the Collector:
Your telegram addressed to Sccrc-
tary Treasury concerning Russian
steamship Lena received at 4:4o +
NJ. You should have addressed this
department as directed in circular 20
Wire this department hour OF
steamers arrival at your port and con
else resume OF steamboat inspector $
report, and, if repairs are necessary
the probable time required to complete
them. On receipt of particulars the
department will instruct you further
The circular referred TO was is
sued on February I3 OF the present
year, Immediately after hostlIltlcs be
tween Russia and Japan began, and
besides containing the President :
proclamation and the provisions Of the
statutes relating to neutrality, gave
instructions to collectors that should
any case arise requiring official action
they should communicate tie facts
to the department by telegraph.
The collectors telegram came after
office hours, and the officials were
somewhat puzzled that there should
have been so much delay i'll sending
it. There was a good deal of rctl-
cence on the subject on the part OF
the officials of the Department oi
Commerce and Labor and of the Blu
reau of Navigation, who preferred tC
await the report of the steamboat i'll
spcctor before making any statement
This report, it is expected, will be
received sometime during the night
so that the Lena will have been il
port over p hours before the qucs,
ton of her right to tie up for repairs
is determined.
Admiral Goodrichs report OF the
presence of the Russian warshp il
San Francisc harbor caused a great
stir in official circles here The en-.
try of the ship was entirely uncx'
pccted and was a disagrecable event
for it had been hoped by the officials
that the United States would escape
being drawn in the necessity Of max
ing close decisions respecting tho
rights Of bclligerent vessels in oui
ports.