New-York tribune., 1904-09-13

ports in Mission Bay and the new battleship
Ohio. She is only about 500 yards from the
oy the government on Saturday
ON THE RUSSIAN SHIP.
Going alongside the ship, line of Russian
jackies'' was seen along the rail. At the top of
the boarding ladder file of marines was drawn
up on deck, and an officer wearing the white
cap That war illustrations have made familiar
blocked the way, but after few words pointed
TO the cabin. The saloon OF the Lena is a spa
cious room, as the vessel passenger liner
before the war At end of the tables several
officers were drinking coffee and smoking Rus
sian cigarettes. The navigating officer Mr.
speckneff who speaks excellent English. said:
We were GENT 10 vIadivostok to transfer the
troops home when the war should be over The
Lena is not warship. We cannot fight Need
ing repairs, we were first ordered back to the
Baltic. Afterward these orders were changed
and we have come here because it is the near
est port in which could get the new boilers
We need.
Being asked how long the ship would remain
here he seid
We expect orders from naval representa-
tive at Washington, who has just been advised
of our arrival 1t is probable that ne will ask
the american government for its permission TO
remove the guns from our decks and allow the
vessel to remain here until the repairs can be
nnlshed. The Lena will probably remain here
until the war is over We expect that the off,
SSlS ana crew Will be sent home Dy OF
New-1ork- 1t is hard to be so far away from
the war. when one can make record only by
fighting.
On the deck were between two hundred and
three hundred sailors Among them was a
priest Of the Russian Greek Church, with long
hair and uncut beard, wearing a soft felt hat
and what looked like a gray kimono. Silently
ne stood at the rail, counting his beads and
looking at the tall buildings of the strange
N fha clxS of fIa
to which no objection was made, revealed the
Iact that she has twenty-five guns mounted.
Speaking with another OF the officers, the
question of the safety of the Pacific Mail steam
ers and the matter of contrsband of war was
brought up.
"Ah. that is a thing of the past We cannot
nght ne said, as he looked at the guns of the
Ohio But, he added, 'if the government viii
not let us dismantle the ship we will have Il
make hasty repairs and put to sea-"
WILL ENFORCE NEUTRALITY LAWS.
Collector stratton and the Japanese consu
held a conference to-day. but neither would say
what took place. Collector stratton, however
said:
I have decided not to allow the Japanese t.
go aboard the Lena to make an examination
This matter is between the United States anC
the Russian government and the United States
will attend TO 1t without asking assistance from
anybody. know the law thoroughly, and viii
enforce IL. The neutrality of the United State
will be maintained without regard TO any re
quest or act or the Japanese Consul ma!
or may not wire the department on the sub
ject.
1t was learned TODAY from a member of the
Lena's crew that the snip formed part of th'
Vladivostock squadron. ard that the Who'll
squadron sailed down through the Sea OF JapaI
| and reached waters near Port Arthur. but did
not dare 10 try TO enter. because Of the presenc
| of the powerful Japanese fleet. Only continue
| foggy weather saved the fleet from fight or capt
IN ~ feet scattered
| the Lena made her way TO this port by tn
! Great Northern Circle.