Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-17
THERE MAY BE OTHERS
REPORTED NOT UNLIKELY THAT
THE LENA WAS ALONE.
Opinion Expressed in Naval Circles at
Frisco Over Vagarant Rus
sian Cruisers.

SAN FRANCISCO, September 17.-The
Chronicle today says From a reliable
source 1t has been learned that the Lena
was not alone in her wanderings in the
eastern Pacific ocean, and 1t Is stated with
authority that somewhere east of a line
drawn from the Hawaiian Islands to Una
laska, In the Aleutian chain. at least two
OF the czar's cruisers are roaming the seas
and apt at any time singly or together, to
seek the safe haven found by the Lena last
Sunday
whether the Korea is one of these two
vessels known to be near the coast or
whether she is third vagrant cruiser is
not settled.
ut Is generally believed in naval circles
that the cruisers referred to are converted
auxiliaries like the Lena, but there is a
possibility that they are regular men-of-war
which, like the Lena, was forced to escape
to the eastward.
Their machinery being still in good
shape they are keeping the sea as long as
possible, and will probably not make port
until their coal runs out.
1T Is pointed out that the mere knowl-
edge that these cruisers may be encounter
ed anywhere between San Francisco and
Honolulu. or along the great circle route
between Puget sound and Japan, will have
a marked deterrent effect upon those engag-
ed in shipping contraband from American
or British Columbian ports.
AT any rate, the New YORK and the
Marblehead, which will remain here indef-
nitely, are on the qui vive. and ready at
any time to greet one or both of the new
corners with the promptness that they
greeted the Lena"
Korea May Visit Victoria.
VICTORIA, B. c.. September 17.-Off1cers
of the British warship Grafton admit that
there is good deal of probability in the
statement that the Russian vessel Korea
may come to refit. The officers of the fleet
are concerned about the reported disaster
to the British sloop-of-war Shearwater In
Alaskan waters. The report Of her mishap
came to Nana1mO, Vancouver Island.
through some sealing men returning from
the north. The British naval authorities
hope to hear definite news from United
States patrol vessels or from some south
bound Alaska or Nome liners. The place
where the Shearwater is supposed to have
gone ashore is frequently visited by Ameri-
can revenue cutters which could render
valuable assistance.
The Shearwater is sister ship to the i'll
fated Condor, which foundered with all
hands on board in collision with the collier
Mattawan OF Cape Flattery two or three
years ago. She was built In 1900, Is of ,00G
tons. thirteen knots speed and tenlgun
equipment.
Russia Wants Crew to Return.
ST. PETERSBURG, September H.-The
negotiations between the United States and
Russia relative to the disposition of the
crew Of the Russian auxiliary cruiser Lena
at San Francisco have not yet been COM
pleted The request Of the United States
that the crew be interned at Mare Island
until the end Of the war has been trans
mitted through the Russian embassy al
Washington and is being considered by the
admiralty, where it Is desired that the
crew be allowed to return home under ar
agreement that the officers and men are not
to fight again during the war. The same
situation exists In regard to the crews OF
the protected cruiser Askold and the tor.
pedo boat destroyer Grozovoi at Shanghai
The admiralty has no confirmation OF
the reports that the Lena had been ell
One Warship on Guard.
Instructions were sent to Rear Admiral
Goodrich at San Francisco this morning
directing him to detach one ship from his
squadron when it leaves for Magdalena
bay to hold the autumn target practice
The vessel detached will remain in the
vicinity of San Francisco prepared to en-
force neutrality should other Russian OF
Japanese vessels put in at the Golden Gate
The Wyoming has been ordered to remain
at Bremertan, WASH, for similar service
The department has no Official informa ton
that there are other Russian cruisers
bound for the Pacific coast. but there IL
talk to that effect around San Francisco
and 1t was thought advisable to be ready
for any emergency.
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