The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-09-16
MAY LENA remain
IN SAN FRANCISCO :?
Japanese at That Port Make
Prompt Demand That
the Vessel Leave.
CURT WORDS WE'RE USED
Collector at Port Not Only 'nsjss.ed on
Being Judge, But Said United
States Needed No
Advice.

San Francisco, Sept. 15.-No. repre-
sentative of the United States governs
ment has yet boarded The Russian
cruiser Lena for the purpose OF sub
Stimulating the claims of CAPTAIN a. L.
Berlinsky thai the warship put into
this port solely for the reason that her
boilers We're in Sucn Il condition rs 10
lender her absolutely unseaworgly.
The Russian warsliE has nov re-
manned in port long over the twenty
four-hour limit, and prominent mem
bers of the local Russian and Japanese
c~olonie are evincing great interest In
h they are prone to designate Sc
rious complications" 1t has seen
learned the local United States inspect
or of hulls and boilers, John Il. Bu'gel',
on the United States revenue cutter
Hartley Tor the Lena. lie VIII make Il
thorough inspection of her boilers, and
as soon us possible will submit a writ
ten report to Collector of the Port
Stratton. Upon this report may de
pend whether or not the Lena is or
dered to put to sea OF whether she, Viii
be allowed to remain until such time
as repairs deemed necessary may be
made.
Japanese Made First Move.
The Japanese were the first to bestir
themselves when they learned Of the
presence Of the Russian ship. Prom
1lSuu members OF Tue JipilieSc &otoiiS
called on Kishaburo uyene, japanese
consul general, and n long conference
was held.
What took place at his session is
told by a prominent Japanese. He said
that it vas decided TO have Jap
anese consul general call ~ CdReStor
Stratton and make the demand that the
Lena leave port Immediately. In the
event of refusal OF this request the con-
sui general was advised to demand of
Collector Stratton that he (the rohsuD
be allowed to be the sole Judge of the
fitness OF the Russian cruiser TO put TO
sea.
consul general called on Collector Strat-
ton shortly after he entered his office
this morning. The two gentlemen were
closeted for M hour and q half. Meth
err of the gentlemen would DISCLOSE
what was said. but it is learned that at
times the discussion was most ami
mated.
Tt the first demand that The Lena be
ordered to leave within the tweut@-iour
hour limit Collector Stratton returned Il
curt refusal. AS reported. it was then
that Consul General Uyenp made the
demand that he be permitted to be the
judge of the seaworthiness of thelius-
sian ship.
The reply that Collector stIatton
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
~belligerents.
When Consul rfveno emerged from
the collectors office he deniEd That
there had been any friction. That was
all he would say at the time.
Berlinsky Calls on Strattor.
In the afternoon Captain B~er.insky.
OF the Lena. accompanied by he Sus-
sian consul, Paul. Kosakevisch, called
on Collector Stratton. Captain Beflin-
be most happy to acquicsce in any de
mand relative to an investigation Of his
ship that the collector felt necessary.
He carried with him duplicate Gpies
of a somewhat lengthy statement, one
of which he sent to the Japanesacon-
sulate and the other to Admiral good
rich, commanding the American leet
now In the harbor. The contents OF
this statement was not made public
at the time, but it was known THAT the
IN his port, just what repairs he
deemed necessary to make her sea-
worthy, and just how much coal he
thought essential for him TO take OH
board her.
Up to this time collector STRATUM had
been working in the dark. He made
the following statement to the news
paper men who We're waiting hts ter
mination Of his interview with the
Russian officers:
Under the circumstances I am un-
able to a much for publication. 1
will say. however, that this delay is
not caused by my ignorance oI the
points of international law involved in
this matter. These are absolutely
clear, and 1 understand them thoroush-
ly. The point is | don't know just how
far / a go without authority"
Just then a telegram from Wasbtng-
ton was handed the collector. Iss con
tents he refused to make public.