The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-09-13
JAPAN PROTESTS
: AGAINST THE LENA

WASHINGTON, d. c., Sept. 1.-THE
expected protest of Japan against allow
ing the Russian cruiser Lena. which ar
rived in San Francisco yesterday, to re-
main, came today, when the consul
general at San Francisco made a formal
demand that the vessel be required to
leave at the end of twenty-four
hours. The collector of customs tele-
gram announcing the arrival of the Lena
and the Japanese protest arrived together
Secretary of State Adee, who has juriS-
q1ctIon In the matter. The telegram
reads:
The japanese consul has made a de-
mand upon me that the Russian auxiliary
cruiser Lena, arriving at this port on
the 18th inst. leave within twenty-four
entered for repairs of engines and boil
ers,, principally the latter. 1 am request
ing the inspector of hulls and boilers to
make. an examination of the vessels ma
ch1nery with the consent of the Russian
consul and the commander. of the Lena.
I can find no authority in the law or
regulations for this collector assuming any
authority and request instructions. -
After a conference with the commits
sioner of navigation, Acting Secretary
M .Wa;yy, sent the following dispatch:
rotary of the treasury regarding the
steamship Lena arrived at 1890 You
should have addressed this department a
ment the hour of the steamers arrival,
with a. concise account of the steam
ships damages and if repairs are neces-
sary;s and the5extent of such repairs. On
receipt OF this information the depart
ment viii Instruct you further
The. circular referred to was issued i'm
m m after hostilities commenced and
lar and provisions relating to neutrality,
gave instructions to collectors that
should any, case arise necessitating na-
t1onal action, you will report the facts
TO the d6Dartnant nv tpIapra nh. -
The collectors telegram came after
office hotirs and the officials were puzzled
sending it. The Lena Will be in port
twent3FefouE hours before her right to tie
up has been determined
Secretary Morton has telegraphed Rear
Admiral Goodrich, COMMUNICATIVE chief
Of the Pacifie station, directing him to
Edetain the Pacific squadron at San Fran
cisco and to inquire Of the commander of
the Lena what his intentions are. If it
should appear that the vessel is really
seawOrthy she must go to sea at once or
at least within twenty four hours of no
tice to our officials of her arrival in
port. She may take on a supply of coal,
but only sufficient to move her to the
:, nearest home port and it will be part of
the understanding upon which this coal is
furnished that it is to be used for no
other purpose. American ports must not
be made the basis of hostile operations
against either of the belligerents.
VladivoStok and Port Arthur are the
nearest Russian ports to San Francisco,
but it is possible that our government
would recognize the fact that they. are
closed by blockade to the Lena and thus
sanction the departure of ship for Rus
sia southwark by way of the west coast
of South America, Capt Horn and the
Atlantic ocean,
In the event that repairs are found to
be actually necessary the time allowed
for them will be fixed by our government
experts and when they are completed
though it is understood that they must
not proceed beyond point just sufficient
to make the vessel seaworthy, she will
be allowed to depart for Russia if she
takes coal in San Francisco or whence
She pleases if she goes out under her own
coal supply
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, Sept 12.-It is
conceded in shipping circles that the main
quest of the Lena was the steamship
America, which flies the Japanese flag,
and which would be open to capture at
any place on the high seas. The America
left Hong Kong for San Francisco three
days ago, richly laden. 1t Is question
now Whether the America will cross the
Pacific, as she will probably call at Guam
for cable advices and be informed of the
danger awaiting her. Honolulu is an
other port of call where the America
could find shelter. The presence of the
Lena viii have an influence for a time
on the character of the cargoes sent from
here to Japanese ports.