The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-14
70 HOLD LENA TILL WAR ENDS
RUSSIAN SHIP LIKELY TO BE
DISMANTLED AT FRISCO.
government Inspector Does Not Think
That Her Boilers Can he Repaired
IN Six weeks-President, Interested

That Her Boilers Can BE Repaired
in Six weeks-President, Interested
In tho ssituaton, Awaits Reports
SAN Francisco, Sept. ls.-It seems
certain from to-day's developments that
ths Russian ship Lena will have to dis
mantle here and that her officers and Grew
will 20 home via New York and England,
This decision was reached by experts
here after the careful examination Of the
Iena's boilers made to-day by Capt. John
K. Buser, United States inspector OF bulls
and boilers Admiral Goodrichs feet
enrneer OF the squadron reported yester-
day that six weeks would probably be
ample time for putting the boilers in service
able condition, but he did not make the
name careful and detailed inspection that
Capt. Bulger made to-day.
Though Capt Bulger will not talk, 1t Is
understood from an authoritative source
that he has reported that the boilers are in
such bad condition that it would be folly
to attempt to patch them up In a few weeks.
Either extensive repairs must be made,
which would require months, or else new
boilers must be put In. In either case,
such work could not be done under the neu-
trality laws, for 1t would mean converting
o disabled ship into an effective cruiser
According to Capt. Bulger's report. the
cruiser would be taking great risks in at
tempting to cross the Pacific at this season
with hastily patched up boilers.
1t Is understood that the officers and men
Of the Lena will be glad to have the vessel
dismantled. as they know that she cannot
hold her own even against small japanese
boat.
1t is reported here that Japanese Consul
General Uyeno received a sharp reprimand
to-day from his Minister In Washington
because Of the dictatorial tone IN which
he demanded yesterday the right TO inspect
the Lena.
Local Japanese are still greatly excited
over the presence Of the ship. The editor
Of the Japanese paper waits In the early
morning for first editions Of the local news
papers and then makes up his journal from
their news.
Admiral Goodrich OF the Pacific squad
ron received orders from Warrington late
this evening to take full charge Of the case
Of the Russian ship. 1t Is understood that
the Admiral will have a thorough inspeo-
ton made Of the vessels boilers, but he,
as well as his chief officers. is convinced
that the only safe course Is to have the
Lena dismantled.
It is q suggestive fact that the Secretary
instructing him to offer on the part OF the
United States Government the facilities
OF the Mare Island navy yard for dis
mantling the cruiser.
ROOSEVELT WATCHES THE CASE.
oysznr BAT, Sept. fs.--President Roose-
volt has had under consideration to-day
the situation created by the arrival in the
hssbor ut San Francisco Of the Russian
armed transport Lena. He has been In
communication with the State Department
and other Departments In Washington.
concerning the matter, all day, and has
been kept informed Of all the details, IN
Guiding the preliminary reports that have
been made relative to the condition of the
Ienas boilefs and engines. It has been
the busiest day the President has had since
he returned from Washington.
No official statement regarding the stu
alton was made here, but 1t is known In a
general way what the action Of the Gov
eminent will be. Nothing definite has been
done and nothing definite will be done until
full reports have been made on the condi-
ton of the Lena by the chief engineer OF
the Pacific squadron, under the command
Of Rear Admiral Goodrich, and by an en-
gineer Of the United States Steamboat In
erection Service at San Francisco.
All reports received in Washington to-day,
according to information obtained here
this evening, have been merely preliminary.
. and the Government has not, as rumored
this afternoon. decided that the Lena should
be allowed stay Of six weeks In the harbor
to effect temporary repairs.
If the full reports by the Government
engineers establish the fact that repairs
sufficient to make the transport seaworthy
-seaworthy, that is, In the sense that she
will be able to make Russian port with
out endangering the lives OF her crew
can be made within reasonable length of
time, then the Lena, II is said. will be al
lowed to remain without dismantling.
Just what the reasonable length OF time
will be, in that case will depend entirely
upon the decision Of the Government.
Il may be twenty-four hours, and 1t may
be thirty six hours, or 1t may be even three
days.
circumstance that adequate repairs cannot
10 Hado III WIG tuc ooNoiuuicht VIII JuuB0
a. q reasonable length Of time II, after the
reports are in. this proves to be the case,
and 1t Is shown that several weeks, II not
several months, will be consumed In the
work Of repair. the Government will insist
upon the dismantling Of the vessel and
also upon her remaining in the harbor
until the end Of the war.
SMALL oHANoR OF HER LEAVING.
WARRINGTON. Sept. 1s.-According to
present indications. the Russian armed
transport Lena, now lying In the harbor Of
Ban Francisco awaiting the decision Of the
United States Government as to how long
she may stay In American waters, will be
dismantled and disarmed and will remain
ct that port until the close Of hostilities In
the Far East
statement to this effect was secured to-
Gay from a high Government authority,
the only qualification being that some re-
mote and unexpected possibility might
arise which would change the existing
state Of affairs
According to a Geographic despatch re-
ceived In Washington this morning from
Rear Admiral Goodrich, commanding tho