The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-09-16
RUSSIAN SHIP TO
Be GIVEN ASYLUM
Cruiser Lena Will Be Allowed
to Make Repairs at
San Francisco.
MAY STAY EIGHT MONTHS
If Permitted to Put in New Boilers, as
is Desired, the Vessel Will Re-
eure Good Part of a Year
in Port.
MAY STAY EIGHT MONTHS


what disposition to make of the Lena.
the officials of the state and navy de-
partlnents and of commerce and labor,
have turned the whole matter over to
the president
BY direction of the president the
navy and state departments will handle
and dispose of the entire situation aris-
ing out of the arrival of the Lena at
San Francisco. 1t is stated that Ad-
miral Goodrich has been given full au-
! thorty TO act. If the Lena can make
the necessary repairs in reasonable
time she will be allowed to do so. If
she cannot. it is the opinion of the Of
| ficials that the Lena will dismantle in
San Francisco
I Washington, Sept. 15.-Secretary
Morton today received a report from
Rear Admiral Goodrich stating that he
lad AN inspection made yesterday of
he Russian ship Lena. at San Fran
cisco, and that she was genuinely in
need of repairs. The report shows the
nature of the repairs necessary. but
he navy department declines to make
his part of the telegram public. The
report was referred to the state depart
ment for action.
Goodrich's report shows that to make
the temporary repairs the boilers and
machinery of the Lena would
The captain of the vessel claims it
needs new boilers and if the request
that he be allowed to put these in is
granted. no less than eight months
line will be required to make the
change. State and navy department
officials We're in conference this morn
/ ing and indications We're that tenn
porary repairs would be allowed.
Precautions Are Taken
4 Goodrich also reported that he had
taken precautions to prevent any in
reference With the Lena as she lay in
the harbor. and had caused her to be
surrounded by Gordon of torpedoboat
destroyers. This guard will not only
prevent anything in the nature of a
cutting out expedition as in the case
of the Ryeshitelni at Shanghai, but will
serve to insure the detention of the
transport until some final understand
ing is reached as to her disposition.
Minister Takahira of Japan called at
the state department today and had Il
short talk with Acting Secretary Adee.
The minister said he called simply to
acquaint the state department officially
with the fact of the Lena s appearance
/ in the harbor of San Francisco. He did
not lodge any protest against her pres
ence nor make any demand as to her
withdrawal He assured MIR. Adee that
he was entirely willing to allow the
/ United States to deal With this case
without interference or suggestion from
him.
The expected protest of Japan against
allowing the Russian cruiser Lena to re-
main longer than twentyfour hours came
when the Japanese consul in San Francis
70 made formal demand that the vessel be
required to leave. The collectors tele-
gram officially notifying the authorities
of the arrival of the Lena and of Japans s
protest was addressed TO the secretary of
the treasury, who at once sent copies
to Acting Secretary of State Adee and
ment of labor and commerce who has
direct jurisdiction in the matter
The telegram reads as follows:
Japanese consul has made demand upon
me that Russian auxiliary cruiser Lena,
arriving at this port l1th inst, leave with,
in twentyfour hours. The captain report,
he has entered for repairs of engines and
boilers, principally the latter. i am re
questing the inspector of hulls and boilers
to make an examination of the vessels
machinery. with the consent OF the Rus
sian consul and. the commander of the
Lena. ] can find no authority in the law
or regulations for collector assuming amy
authority in the premises, and request in
struction.
After an interview with the commits
sioner of navigation, Acting Secretary
Murray sent the following to the collect
or:
Your telegram, addressed to secretary
treasury, concerning Russian steamship
Lena. received at 4:40 p. m. You should
have addressed this department. as direct
ed In circular 80 Wire this department
hour of steamers arrival at your port
ana concise resume of steamboat inspect
ors report. and if repairs are necessary
the probable time to complete them. on
receipt of particulars the department will
instruct you further. See circular 80, end
OF page 2 and all of page s.
The circular refa,red to was issued
February 13, Immediately after hostilitie,
commenced, containing the government
instructions to collectors that "should any
case arise requiring official action YOU will
communicate the facts to the department
by telegraph
The collectors telegram came after Of
flee hours and the officials were some
what puzzled that there was SO much de
lay. There was a good deal of reticence
on the subject on the part Of the bureau
of navigation and the commerce depart
ment, who preferred to await the report
of the inspector before making a state
ment. This report, it is expected will be
received some time during the night. so
that the Lena will have been in port over
twenty-four hours before the question of
her right to tic up for repairs is deter
mined
OUT LOOKING FOR PRIZES.
Lena Is Heavily Armed and Can Make
Very Fast Speed.
IVocbiOrtnp SAINT Coo,,a+,..