The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-12
RUSSIAN SHIP IN OUR PORT.
CRUISER LENA PUTS IN AT SAN
FRANCISCO IN BAD SHAPE.

FRANCISCO IN BAD SHAPE.
direct From vlsdivostok. Her Commander
says-May Delay q Month for Repairs
Tho Pacific Squadron Delays Sail
ing-Tho japanese Suspect q Ruso.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 11.-Muoh ex-
element was aroused hero this afternoon
when the lookout at Point Lobos reported
that Russian warship was entering port.
She proved to be the converted cruiser
Lena, direct from Vladivostok, and she
put In here, according to her captain, be-
cause her boilers were 30 defective as to
make the vessel practically helpless. She
will be dismantled and may remain here
q month.
The cruiser is under command OF Capt.
Benlinsky, and carries twenty-four guns,
sixteen officers and 4Ss men. Commander
Rytschoff, who speaks English, gave the
following explanation of her presence
here
About three weeks ago the Lena was
ordered to proceed from Vladivostok to
San Francisco in response to an urgent
request from the Russian Consul-General
at San Francisco that a war vessel be sent
here. What his reason for this request
was do not know, but tonight the Cap
tain Is to have a conference with him.
"we came by the Great Northern Circle,
passing the Aleutian Islands, but We are
out OF coal and the boilers are IN such terri
BILE condition that they must be thoroughly
overhauled before we 60 to sea again.
I understand that the ship will be dis
mantled and that 1t may be necessary to
remain here a whole month before repairs
are finally completed
Manager B. A. Harnett OF the Japanese
steamship line, who was promptly informed
Of the arrival OF the Russian cruiser. cabled
to his company in Yokohama to hold the
America Maru until the cruiser departs.
The America Msyu Is now between Shanghai
and Nagasaki on her way to this city.
Harnett's theory is that the Russian
cruiser was sent out from Vladivostok
OH !, rowing m,nission to see II she could
capture any Japanese vessels. He regards
the trouble with the boilers az q ruse to
permit the vessel to stay here and dis
mantle. Then at q days notice she could
resume her guns and sail out ready to hold
UP any Japanese ship. This theory is borne
out by the fact that she can make 10 knots.
would allow her to overhaul any vessels
OF the Japanese line as we'll as most Of the
Pacific Mail and Occidental and Oriental
steamers.
She is Of 5000 tons and %so feet long.
OF her twenty-four guns, three are s-inch,
twelve e-inch, eight 4-inch and one s-inch.
Those who boarded her late this afternoon
say that everything Is in good order and
- y III - aRfo
She was formerly In passenger trafio
between Odessa and Kronstadt, and ak
months ago was converted into q cruiser.
Admiral Goodrich Of the Pacific squadron
notified Washington Of the cruisers arrival,
and he received prompt orders to hold his
squadron here until the departure Of the
Russian vessel. His squadron comprises
the New York, the Boston, the Marblehead
and the Bennington, and the vessels were
| all ready to leave for Punta Arenas In the
morning.
The Japanese quarter Is buzzing like a
hive Of bees tonight. Tho Japanese are
| inclined to the theory that dismantling of
| the cruiser 10 simply ruse to keep her here
until an opportunity occurs to prey upon
some richly laden Japanese steamer.
| WARRINGTON, Sept. 11.--An official OF the
Navy Department tonight said that the
Department had not heard Of the arrival
of the Lena at San Francisco and had
issued no orders In connection with her
| presence there II her arrival was reported
| to the Department, he said, the case would
! be referred to the State Department for an
opinion as to what action should be taken.
Tho Official expressed surprise over the
Lena's arrival and said he would hardly
believe the report was correct, as when
last heard from abe was at Vladivostok,
and he could not understand what would
bring her across 1000 miles Of ocean to an
American port.
The case Of the Lena puts the United
| States Government In the same position
that China was in when Russian vessels
took refuge In tho ports OF Chefoo and
Shanghai. As this Government, like China
has declared an intention OF observing
strict neutrality between Russia and Japan
1t will be required to order the Lena to
leave San Francisco, with the alternative
OF being dismantled and remaining there
until the end Of the Far Eastern war.
II the Lena should decide to leave she
will be permitted to take coal enough te
reach the nearest Russian port. And right
there pretty questio, might arise as
to what Is the nearest port OF the Cars
dominions. Apparently the one closest te
San Francisco is Petropsvlovsk, at the
southern end Of the Kamchatka peninsula.
1t Ia nearer by about 300 miles to the
California city than Yladivostok. but II
might be claimed by Russia that there are
no facilities at Petropaviovsk for caring
for vessel OF the Lena's size.
Owing to the fact that there are no Jap
anese warships near the western coast Of
the United States, the situation Is not com
plicated, as it was at Shanghai and Chefoo
Unless the Lena should agree to dis
mantle or to leave Immediately, the Incl
dent Is likely to give this Government SOM
little worry.
WIND-UP OF THE MEAT STRIKE