The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-16
of the Russian Trans
port Lena at Frisco
Expresses Satisfaction With
the Order from Washington.
HE SEEMS GLAD OF 1T.
Will Take Advantage Of the
Permission to DiSarm.
Will Remain In the HarbOr Un-
til the War Closes.

Washington, Sept. 16.-Announce-
ment that Captain Berlinsky, COM
manding the Russian transport Lena
at San Francisco, acquiesced in all the
details in the process of the disarma-
ment prescribed by this government
and would proceed to take advantage
of the permission, reached the navy de-
partment over night in a telegram
from Rear Admiral Goodrich, comman-
der-in-chief of the Pacific station.
Captain Pillsbury. acting chief of the
bureau of navigation. today transmit
ted copies of the instructions sent Rear
Admiral Goodrich to the secretaries of
the departments of the treasury and of
commerce and labor.
The president issued an order
through the acting secretary of state,
directing that the Russian armed
transport Lena, now at San Francisco,
be taken in custody by the naval auth
critics of the United States and dis
armed. The main features of the con-
ditions prescribed are that the Lena be
taken to the Mare Island navy yard,
and there diSarmed by removal of
small guns, breechlocks of large guns.
small arms, ammunition and ordnance
stores and such other diSmantlement
as may be prescribed by the COM
mandant of the navy yard; that the
captain give a written guarantee that
the Lena shall not leave San Francisco
until peace shall be concluded; that the
officers and crew shall be paroled, that
they shall not leave San Francisco un-
til some other arrangement be reached
between the United States and both
belligerents; after disarmament the
vessel may be removed TO private
dock for such repairs as may be neces-
Sary to make her seawOrthy and pre-
serve in good condition during her de-
tention, may be SO repaired at the
dor.
should so elect; that while at private
dock the commandant of the navy
yard at Mare Island shall have custo-
dy of the ship, and the repairs shall
be detailed by the cOmmandant and
that when so repaired, if peace shall
not then have been concluded, the yes
sci shall be taken back to the Mare
Island navy yard and be there held in
custody until the end of the war.
This action has been upon the writ
ten request of the commander OF the
Lena, addressed to Rear Admiral
sci is incapable of putting to sea with
out needful repairs she must disarm
and asking that needful repairs be per
mitted after disarmament.
The Boston Returns.
San Francisco, Sept. 16.-The Unit
ed States cruiser Boston returned to-
day from her short cruise outside of
this harbor. She is not reported as
having sighted any foreign naval yes
sells. In speaking of her trip, Admiral
Goodrich said:
81 deemed it best, in the interest of
this government and also of the mer- |
chant marine to send out the Boston. |
There had been so many conflicting |
rumors that 1 felt it was advisable for |
her to eruise up and down the coast. |
She kept me closely informed of her |
by means of her system of |
wireless teIegrap ply. The workings of |
the machine have been absolutely sat |
isfactory and this practical test of the |
system has been of incalculable value" |
Painting Her Black.
San Francisco, Cal, Sept. 16.-The |
Russian transport Lena, which |
reached this port in a weather stained |
is being painted a brilliant /
black. Last night, the ward room Of
hcers of the Lena were given a dinner |
on board the New York by the ward |
room officers of the latter, the flag
ships band giving a concert