The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-09-16
PROTEST TO THE U. S.
Japan Demands That Russian Cruiser
Lena Leave.
A Big STIR in OFFICIAL CIRCLES.
Rear Admiral Goodrich Instructed to Detain
the Pacific Squadron at San Francisco
Captain Of the Russian Ship Will Be Ordered
to Sail or Disarm His Vessel and Remain
Until the War Is Over.

Washington, D. C. Especially The
expected protest of Japan against al
lowing the Russian auxiliary cruiser
Lena, which arrived at San Francisco
Sunday, to remain longer than "a
hours came Monday, when the jap
anese consul in that city, through the
collector of customs, made formal de-
mand that the vessel be required to
leave at the end of that time.
Secretary Morton has telegraphed
Rear Admiral Goodrich, commander
in-chief Of the Pacific Station, direct
ing him to detain the Pacific Squadron
at San Francisco and to inquire of the
commander. of the Lena what his in
tentions are.
The collectors telegram, officially
notifying the authorities of the ar
rival of the Lena and of Japan's pro-
test, was addressed to the Secretary
of the Treasury, who at once sent
copies to. Acting Secretary of State
Adee and Acting Secretary Murray,
of the Department of Commerce and
Labor, 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 nth inst,
leave within "a hours. The captain
reports that he has entered for re-
pairs of engines and boilers, princi-
pally the latter. I am requesting the
inspector of hulls and boilers to make
an examination of vessels machinery
with the consent of the Russian con-
sui and the commander of the Lena.
Can find no authority in the law or
regulations for the collector assum-
ing any authority in the premises and
request instructions.
After conference with the Com
missioner of Navigation. Acting Sec
rotary Murray sent the following dis
patch to the Collector:
your telegram addressed to Secre-
tary Treasury concerning Russian
steamship Lena received at 4:4o p.
M. You should have addressed this
department as directed in circular 20.
Wire, this department hour of
steamers arrival at your port and con-
else resume of steamboat inspectors
report, and, if repairs are necessary.
the probable time required to complete
them. On receipt of particulars the
department will instruct you further"
The circular referred to was is
sued on February 10 of the present
year, Immediately after hostilities be-
tween Russia and Japan began, and
besides containing the Presidents
proclamation and the provisions of the
statutes relating to neutrality, gave
instructions to collectors that should
any case arise requiring official action
they should communicate the facts
to the department by telegraph.
The collectors telegram came after
office hours, and the officials were
somewhat puzzled that there should
have been so much delay in sending
it. There was a good deal of reti-
cence on the subject on the part of
the officials of the Department of
Commerce and Labor and of the Bu-
reau of Navigation, who preferred to
await the report of the steamboat in
spector before making any statement
This report, it is expected, will be
received sometime during the night,
so that the Lena will have been in
port over "a hours before the ques-
ton of her right to tie up for repairs
is determined
Admiral Goodrich's report of the
presence of the Russian warship in
San Francisc harbor caused great
stir in official circles here. The en-
try of the ship was entirely unex-
pected and was disagreeable event,
for it had been hoped by the officials
that the United States would escape
being drawn in the necessity of max
ing close decisions respecting the
rights Of belligerent vessels in our
ports. +.
A DYNAMITER HANGED,