The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-17
RUSSIA SENT THREE CRUISERS
THE KOREA AND ANOTHER SHIP
CRUISING OFF THE COAST.
They Came with the Lena to Test Neutrality
Laws--The Latter Now in Custody At
Mare Island and Her Crew May Not He
Allowed TO Return Home TIL war Ends.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18.-The most
sensational news in connection with the
Russian cruiser Lena leaked out to-day
when it was learned from authoritative
sources that the Lena made the long voyage
across the Pacific in company with the
cruiser Korea and another cruiser and that
these two vessels are now cruising of the
coast.
According to this report, which evil
IDENTIFY comes from some OF the crew OF the
Lena the vessel was sent into San Francisco
harbor to test the American strictness in
interpreting the neutrality laws. II the
United States had permitted the Lena to
reft here, then the other two cruisers would
have appeared and claimed the same privi-
lege.
The Korea has been sighted of Vancouver
and the other cruiser is somewhere in the
Great Triangle between here and Cape
Flattery. That the cruiser Boston saw no
trace of either vessel is not strange. as they
would not venture as far south as San
Francisco unless they received definite
news that 1t was safe to enter this port
or Seattle.
The presence OF these two vessels with
the Lena puts an entirely different COM
plexion on affairs and shows that the dis-
ability OF the engines was largely pretext
for getting favors.
The Navy Department has received the
information that two cruisers accompanied
the Lena, and the naval officials here and
at Bremerton, on Puget Sound, were told
to be ready to meet any conditions that
might arise 1t Ia understood that the
Russian vessels are to be stopped II they
attempt to enter Puget Sound, until the
Government Ia advised more fully az to
their intentions.
1t is though here that the ship with the
Korea is the Kitai. The Korea and the Kitai
were owned by the Danish-Russian East
Asiatic Steamship Company and were
equipped by Russia as auxiliary cruisers.
The Lena left here for Mare Island this
afternoon under the escort Of the United
States cruiser Marblehead. Tomorrow she
will probably go out Of commission and
her officers and crew be paroled.
CREW OF THE LENA CAN'T 60 HOME.
WASHINGTON, Sept 1e.-Kogoro Takahira,
the Japanese Minister, called at the State
Department to-day and conferred with
Acting Secretary Of State Adee as to what
disposition will be made Of the crew OF
the Russian transport Lena, now In process
OF disarmament in San Francisco harbor.
The Minister said be was well pleased
with the attitude Of the United Ststes In
the Lena incident up to the present time.
but made It plain to Mr.. Adee that he W ould
register a strong protest against the re-
turn OF the crew OF the Lena to Russia
on parole before the end Of the Russian
japanese war
In view OF this It Is practically certain
that the officers and men Of the Russian
vessel will have the freedom OF the city
OF San Francisco, twill be placed on parole
not to leave its limits until the end Of hos
tilltes in the Far Fast. II Ia not believed
that the Russian Ambassador will object
to this arrangement.
Admiral Goodrich, commanding the
American feet at San Francisco, tele-
graphed Secretary Of the Navy Morton
to-day that Capt Berlinsky Of the Lena
was satisfied with the arrangements made
! for the disarmament and repairing OF
| his vessel.
officials IN Washington are congratulatina
themselves on preserving the friendship
and good will Of both belligerents.