Arizona republican., 1904-09-13
She Brought Cargo of Embarrassment to
 the United States Government
Inc Sudden Arrival at San Francisco of Russian Cruiser Claiming to be Crippled Raised Question of Neutral 1ty-Japanese Representatives Demand Her Removal Within the Twenty-four Hour Limit

San Francisco, Sept 12.-No officer of the United States government has as yet boarded the Russian converted cruiser Lena for the purpose of sub stantiating, the claims of Captain A. T. Berlinsky that the. warship put inio this port solely for the reason that her boilers were in such condition as to render her absolutely unseaworthv. The Russian warship has now remain ed in port long over twenty-four hours limit. Prominent members of the To- cal Russian and Japanese colonies arr eVincing great interest in what they are prone to designate a serious com plication."
 It has been learned that the local United States inspector of hulIs and boilers, John K. Bulger will leave at 8 o'clock in the morning on the U. s. re- venue cutter Hartley for the Lena. He will make thorough inspection of her boilers and as soon as possible sub mt a written report to Collector of Port Stratton. Upon this report may depend whether or not the Lena is or- dered put to sea or whether she is aI- lowed to remain such time as the re-
 paIrs deemed necessary may be made. The Japanese were first to bestir themselves when they learned of the presence of the Russian ship Promin- ent members of the Japanese colony called on Kishaburo Uyeno. the Ian anese consul general, and a long cor ference was held. What took place al Japanese. He said that it was de- cided to nave the Japanese consul gen eral call on Collector Stratton and make demand that the Lena leave port Immediately. Tn the event of a refusal of this request, the consul gen eraI Was advised to demand of CoUec- tor Stratton that he be allowed to be the sole judge of the fitness of the Russian cruiser to put to sea.
 Tn accordance with these plans the Japanese consul general called upo~ Collector StrattOn shortly after he en- tered his office this morning. The two gentlemen were closeted for an bour and a half. Neither principal of the coloquy would disclose what had been sad but 1t was learned at times that the discussion was most animated
 To the first demand that the Lena
 be ordered to leave within twentv-fol,r hours limit, Collector Stratton return ed a curt refusal As is reported. if was then that Consul General TTyeno made demand that he be permitted to Judge of the seawOrthiness. Of the Russian ship. The reply that Collector Stratton made to this demand was in effect that the United States was not only willing but able to cope with the situation without the assistance of either of the beIIigerents.
 When Consul Uyeno emerged from the collectors office he denied that there had been any friction. That was all he would say at the time. In the afternoon Captain Berlinsky of inc Lena, accompanied by the Russian consul Paul KOsakevitch. called on Collector StrattOn. Captain BerlinsLy assured the collector that he would he most happy to acquiesce in any de- mand relative to an investigation of the condition of his ship that the col lector thought necessary. He carried with him duplicate copiesofa a somewhat lengthy statement, one of which he sent to the Japanese consulate and the other to Admiral Goodrich. cOmmaud- Ing the American fleet now in this bar DOT The contents of the statement were not made public at the time but It IS known that the captain explained why the Lena was in this port. just what repairs he deemed necessary to make his ship seaworthy and just how much he thought essential for him to take on board here.
 Up to this time Collector Strattor had been working in the dark. He made statement to the newspapers which were awaiting the termination of his interview with the Russian of- hcers; Under the circumstances I am not able to say much for publication. l will say, however. that this delay is not caused by my ignorance on the points of international law involved in this matter. These are absolutely clear and ] understand them thoroughly. The point is I don't know just how far l can go without authority"
 Just then a telegram from Washing ton was handed Collector Stratton. It's contents he refused to make public.
 BROUGHT TO OUR SHORES.