The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-09-16
SAYS RUSSIAN CAPTAIN WANTS
TO MAKE EXTENSIVE RE-
PAIRS.
TO Be THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED
TIME WILL EXPIRE BEFORE THE
RIGHT TO TIE UP IS DETER.
MINED.

protest of Japan against allowing the
Russian cruiser Lena, which arrived
in San Francisco Sunday, came yester-
day when the consul general at San
Francisco made formal demand that
the vessel be required to leave at the
end of twenty-four hours. The collec-
tor of customs telegram announcing
the arriving of the Lena and the Jap
anese protest arrived together and
| copies were at once sent to Acting
| Secretary of State Adee and the de-
partment of commerce and labor, who
has jurisdiction in the matter. The
| telegram reads as follows:
Asks for instructions.
Japanese consul has made demand
upon me that Russian auxiliary
cruiser Lena, arriving at this port
18th inst, leave within twenty-four
hours. The captain reports that he
has entered for repairs of engines and
| boilers, principally the latter. am
requesting the inspector Of hulls and
boilers to make an examination OF
vessels machinery with consent OF
| the Russian consul and the command
er of the Lena. Can find no authority
in law or regulations for the collector
assuming any authority and request
Instructions"
After a conference with the commits
sion of navigation Assistant Secretary
Murray sent the following dispatch:
"Your telegram addressed to secre-
tary of treasury regarding steamship
Lena arrived at 4:30. You should
have addressed this department as di-
rected in circular 239. Wire this de-
partment hour of steamers arrival in
your port, report a concise account OF
steamships damages and if repairs
are necessary, the extent of such re-
pairs. On receipt of information the
department will instruct you further"
Delay Causes Surprise.
The circular referred to was issued
Immediately after hostilities com
menced, and besides containing the
presidents circular and provisions re-
lating to neutrality, gave instructions
to collectors that Should any case
arise necessitating national action.
you Will report the facts TO the depart
ment by telegraph"
The collectors telegram came after
Office hours and the officers were
somewhat puzzled that there had been
so much delay in sending it. There
was a great deal of r%eticence On the
subject on the part of the officials of
the department of commerce, who
preferred to await the report of the
steamship inspector. The Lena will
be in port twenty-four hours before
her right to tie up has been determ-
ined.
Time Has Expired.
San Francisco, Sept. 14.-No repre-
sentative of the United States govern
ment has yet boarded the Russian
converted cruiser Lena for the pur-
pose of substantiating the claims of
Capt. Berlinsky that the warship put
into port solely for the reason that her
boilers were in such condition as to
render her absolutely u~nseaworthy.
The Russian warship has now re-
manned in port long over the twenty
four hour limit, and prominent mem
bers Of the local Russian and Japanese
colonies are evidencing great interest
in what they are prone to designate a
SERIOUS complication"
Japs Plan to Blow Up Cruiser.
Resident Japanese last night planned
to blow up the Russian auxiliary
cruiser Lena, now in this harbor, and
they were restrained only by direct or
ders from their consulate.
A score of Japanese marched to the
consulate and offered their services to
form a volunteer company and attempt
to destroy the Russian vessel with
dynamite. The offer was made. in
good faith, and the volunteers were in
deadly earnest.
The Japanese consul, while praising
them for their patriotism. cautioned
them against any demonstration
against the Russian cruiser or crew
while the latter were in this neutral
port.