The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-14
STATE AND NAVY
 DEAL WITH LENA Another Examination of Boilers
 Mil be Made MAY REQUIRE DISARMAMENT
Expected That Several Months Be Required to Make Nee ssary Repa,rs on the
 esvessers Boilers.

September 13.-The devel- l Washington, sy so far as it is related opment of the da4ser Lena at San Fran to the Russian cruNng up of the official cisco was the icleaAof the doubt as to muddle arising out Apartments of the which of the five dN with 1t. It was government should deaksident that that | finally decided by the Prnt should treat | state and navy departmedecision calcu- the case, acting jointly, q handling lated greatly to simplify itsm from Ad- |
 Over night came teegrk Francisco, | miral Goodrich dated Santiye he had | showing that on his own initlaS to make | caused one of his expert offcen1e Lena, | a preliminary examination of tl weeks | that the repairs would occupy sidnvolve | time, and that new boilers would lt ap- | eight months delay. The Presideh, de- proved of the admirars action andAdle | cided that he should continue to ha1lc- the case in San Francisco under instrE- tions from the state and navy depar, | ments.
 Involves Further Examination.
 This involved further expert exami- nation of the ship. The Russian govern ment did not object; at least the Russian consul at San Francisco gave that under standing, and within a day or two, with
 
 the Union Iron Works, Admiral Gooo- rich will be able to report more closely on the repairs. The admiral also adopted the precaution of guarding the Lena with his own vessels, a course approved by the department.
 Agreeable to the Presidents instruc- tions, Acting Secretary Adee of the state department and Captain Pillsbury for the navy department had two conferences during the day, and the result was the preparation of instructions to Admiral Goodrich, which it Is said were referred to the President for his approval. There is good ground to believe that this in- struction contemplates the allowance of sufficient time for the Lena to make tenn porary repairs.
 Be Obliged to Intern.
 However, there is a growing belief here that the vessel will be obliged to intern in the end, for 1t is altogether likely that by the time she could be made ready to go to sea, one or more Japanese cruisers would be off the golden gate ready to sink or capture her. Foreseeing such an event, as a request for the right to intern the officials have been considering what shall be done with the crew-whether they may be allowed to return to Russian on parole. or must be interned on their ship in San Francisco harbor. On this point, no decision has been reached.
 It was stated tonight that up to 10 o'clock there had been received no fur ther statement on behalf of the Russian officials indicating the nature of the re- quest they would make regarding re- pairs to the boilers of the vessel
 The matter probably now is under con- sideration by the Russian government. From the very nature of the case an early n ha f1aaf tr.
 will be insisted on by our government Al both the state and navy departments the statement was made tonight that there had been no developments since the close of office hours.
 Transmitted to President. All official reports relating to the ar rival of the auxiliary cruiser at San Fran cisco have been transmitted to President Roosevelt, and he Is thoroughly cognizant or the facts thus far this afternoon The reports Indicate that the ship Is not sea worthy. Her boilers are in such condition as to render 1t dangerous for her to pro- ceed luther without repairs. Reports so far received indicate that the boilers are in such condition as would preclude the possibility of making the necessary re- pairs at sea. Difference of opinion have arisen as to the length of time 1t will take to make the repairs The commander of the Lena is quoted in one report as ex- pressing the opinion that repairs to the vessel, Including those to the boilers. would occupy several monthsAperhaps seven or eight months.
 In order to determine definitely just what repairs may be necessary to place the ship in seaworthy condition the chief engineer of the American Pacific squadron and the chief inspector at San Francisco of the United States steamboat inspection service have been ordered to make thorough examination of the Lena, and as experts to make a written report of their examination to the author tiles. On this report will be based the action of the government. Pending it's receipt the vessel will remain at San Francisco.
 If, In the judgment of these experts. the vessel can be made seaworthy in twenty | four hours, orders will be issued to her | commander to leave port at the expiration | of that period. On the contrary. If the l report should show that the ship Is in l actual need of extensive repairs and | overhauling. and the making of the re- l pairs would occupy any considerable | time, the captain will be directed to dis mantle the vessel and she will remain In that condition until the termination of | 10 uUa