The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1904-09-14

Says That Ship Is Badly In Need of
Repairs, Which Win Take at Least
Six Weeks In Order to Make Her
seaworthy.
Washington, Sept. Is. After wres-
ting for two days with the problem of
what disposition TO make of the Rus
sian transport Lena, now in port at
San Francisco, tile officials of the de-
partments. state. navy and commerce
and labor have turned the whole mat
ter over 10 the president
Secretary Mortons report from Rear
Admiral Goodrich. commander In chief
Of the Pacific feet, states that he had
an inspection made Of the Russian
ship Lena at San Francisco and that
she was genuinely In need Of repairs,
The report shows further the nature OF
the repairs said to be necessary, but
the officials Of the navy department de-
cline to make this part Of the tele-
gram public The report has been re-
ferred TO the state department for ne
ton
Admiral GoodrIch's report SLOWS
that to make temporary repairs to the
boilers and machinery Of the Lena,
according to the naval experts opinion,
would require about six weeks time.
The captain Of the vessel claims that
ii needs new boilers, aud If the re-
quest to be allowed TO put these in is
granted no less than eight months
time viii be required to make the
change State and navy department
officials were iii conference this morn
ing, and the indications were that the
temporary repairs would be Showed
Admiral Goodrich's Energy.
Admiral Goodrich. commanding The
Pacific station IS moving ID the matter
Of the Russian ship Lena with an
energy which has earned him the
praise 81 tie navy department officials
here. without waiting for special IN
structions or falling into doubt as 70
his powers in the matter. the admiral
not only was the first to report to the
government here the arrival Of the
Lena in San Francisco harbor. but he
subsequently detailed one Of his ex-
pert naval officers to visit the vessel
ana ascertain for himself her exact
condition as to boilers and machinery
He has reported the result Of this in
vestigation to the navy department IN
the form be telegram, which came
overnight from san Francisco and was
opened the first thing in the morning
by Captain pillsbury. the acting chief
Of tile navigation bureau. The dis
patch stated that the Lena was UNI
questionably in need Of repairs; that
her boilers were IN bad condition and
that to make temporary repairs would
occupy period of six weeks. employ
ing the full resources Of the San Fran
cisco machine shops. 1t was also stated
that II new boilers We're supplied, as
Captain Berlinsky Of the Lena desired,
the work IF putting them i'd would oc-
cupy no less than eight months.
Captain Pillsbury promptly laid this
message before Secretary Morton and
then. by his direction, carried it over
to the state department to consult with
Acting Secretary Adee and Solicitor
Penield as to the course to be pursued
1t was the opinion Of the three officers
that tile request for permission to
make temporary repairs should be al
lowed. But as IN the case Of previous
conference on the same subject It was
decided that the final decision IN this
matter rested with the department Of
commerce aud labor, which appeared,
under tie terms of the circular Of Feb.
13 last, issued BIZ Mr. Cortelyou, then
secretary to be charged with the exc
cution Of the neutrality laws.
Torpedo Boats on Guard.
Admiral Goodrich further reported
To the navy department that he had
taken precautions to prevent any in
reference with the Lena as she lay
in the harbor and had caused her to be
surrounded by Gordon Of torpedo
boat .destroyers. This guard win serve
double purpose-it viii not only pre-
vent anything in the nature Of a cut
ting out expedition, as IN the case q
tie Ryeshiteln lit Shanghai, but alst
win serve 70 insure the detention d
the big transport until some final un
Outstanding is reached as to her dis
position.
Minister Takahira called az the STATE
department and had short talk Will
Mr.. Adee. the acting secretary. TIT
minister. having received Monday nigh
tile report Of the vessels arrival from
the Japanese consul general in Sar
Francisco. said that he called simply
10 aequaint the state department off
cially with the fact Of the Lenas ap
pearance in the harbor Of San Francis
co. but be did not lodge any protes
against her presence or make any de
mand ais to her withdrawal. lie as
sured Mr. Adee that he was entirel.
willing to allow the United States GOV
eminent to deal with this case withou
interference or suggestion from him.
-Mla