Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-13

Early today the destroyer Paul Jones,
Lieutenant G. c. Dawson commanding.
" as sent to an anchorage off the Union iron
works close to the Lena. Later the Paul
Jones was reinforced by steam launch
from the Marblehead, in charge of Midship-
man Davis with an armed crew and
four marines with loaded rifles and
belts filed with ammunition. Assisted by
the launch as a picket and patrol boat, the
Paul Jones will keep a close watch over
the Lena as long as she remains in port to
see that the neutrality laws are RICHLY en-
forced, both for and against her.
Vigilance is being exercised that no "a
matte, Japanese or other, creeps upon the
Lena for the purpose of doing her harm
and possibly repeating the Maine incldent
in this port and equal vigilance Is being
eyerted to see that she herself receives no
military help in the shape OF arms, amInh-
milton, men or equipment. or any coal pc
ycnd the quantity to which she is entitled,
namely enough to carry her to the nearest
home port. .
arrested by the alert launch until the ON
GERS in charge are satisfied that the boats
errand Is legitimate.
War risks on cal goes to Japan jumped
Yesterday from a quarter of l per cent 10
from 3 to per cent as result OF the ar
rival of the Russian cruiser Lena IN TINS
port. -.
hulls and boilers acting under instructions
from Collector of the Port Stratton. this
morning began an examination OF the
ena's boilers. He will make very thor
ough inspection and it may not be COM
pleted today His report will be forwarded
to Washington and probably will not be
given out here.
Among governme Mt officials best informed
regarding the situa ton the impression pre-
walls that permission will be granted the
Lena to make all the repairs found to pc
necessary. 1t is also thought that the YES
sci will be disarmed so that 1t may remain
here until the close of the war
What Russian Authorities Expect.
ST. PETERSBURG, September 13-The
authorities here profess ignornace Of the
circumstances surrounding the case of the
Russian transport Lena, now at San Fran
cisco. A higher officer of the admiralty
says that her appearance at San Francisco
was surprise, as Vice Admiral Skyrdloff
had not notified them that the Lena was
going to san Francisco from Vladivostok,
and they have no informant of the pur-
pose of her cruise.
The foreign office also states that 1t is
without advfces on the subject. Neverthe-
less, II the ship Is in need of repairs and
coal. Russia will expect the United States
TO ignore the reported Japanese demand
that she be forced to leave within twenty
four hours, and to permit the necessary
repairs to be made, and also to allow the
Lena to take on board sufficient coal to en-
aUIe Her 10 reach the nearest Russian nome
port 1t is not believed, however, that Rus
sia would object to the stipulation that II
the Lena Is allowed to coal the ship shall
undertake not to interfere with neutral
commerce pending her arrival at home
port
Unofficial Views.
In unofficial quarters there are two YER
sions of the Lena's mission. According to
the one which is most generally accepted.
the Lena was sent out to stop contraband
OF war bound for Japan, possibly, as in the
case of the Russian volunteer feet steamers
st. Petersburg and Smolensk, under the
direct orders Of Grand Duke Alexander
Nfikhailovitch, head of the department Of
mercantile marine, and bIother-in-law of
Emp error Nicholas. and was driven by stress
Of wea her exhaustion of her coal supply
or fear of returning to Vladivostok after
the defeat of the Vladivostok squadron by
the japanese squadron commanded by
Vice ADMIRAL Kamimura, 20 seek shelter at
San Francisco.
The other version of the Lena's mission
Is that she Is to examine into the possibili-
ties of the Cape Horn route for the Baltic
squadron.