Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-09-20
MATTER UP TO
THE President
DISPOSITION OF TRANSPORT LE-
MA AT SAN FRANCISCO
LEFT TO HIM.
ONLY PERSON WITH
AUTHORITY TO ACT

GNSSN
AUTHORITY TO ACT
30 Washington officials Decide After
Conference-Admira Goodrich Re
ports That Russian Ship Is Really
in Need Of Repairs.
Washington, Sept. IA. - After wres-
fling for two days with the problem OF
what disposition to make of the Russian
transport Lena, now in port at San
Francisco, the officials of the state and
navy and commerce and labor have
turned the whole matter over to the
president.
1t was ascertained that the officials
were determined in their action by Sec
ton $3.50 of the Revised Statutes. con-
tanned In Circular No. 20, of the DEPART
ment of commerce and labor, and re-
ferred to in the departments reply to
the collectors telegram Monday. This
section reads as follows: 1T shall be
lawful for the president, or such person
as he shall empower for that purpose.
to employ such part Of the land or naval
forces OF the United States, or OF the
militia thereof, as shall be necessary to
compel any foreign vessel to depart from
the United States in all cases In which,
by the laws of nations or the treaties
of the United States, she ought not to
remain within the United States"
az NJ M, this
section, 1t was held that the president
alone had authority to act.
Says Repairs Are Needed.
Secretary Morton Tuesday received a
report from Rear Admiral Goodrich,
commander in chief OF the Pacific fleet,
stating that he had an inspection made
on Monday of the Russian ship
Lena at San Francisco and that
she was genuinely in need of re-
pairs. The dispatch stated that her
boilers were in bad condition; that to
make temporary repairs would occupy a
period of six weeks, employing the full
resources of the San Francisco machine
shops 1t was also stated that If new
boilers were supplied. as Capt. Berlin
sky of the Lena desired, the work OF
putting them in would occupy no less
than eight months.
Secretary Morton requested Capt
Pillsbury, acting chief of the navigation
bureau, to consult with Acting Secre-
tary of State Adee and Solicitor Pen
field as to the course to be pursued. II
was the opinion of three officers that
the request for permission to make TEN.
porary repairs should be allowed. But
as in the case Of Mondays conference on
the same subject, it was decided that
the final decision in this matter rested
with the department of commerce and
labor, which appeared under the terms
of the circular of February 13 last, is.
sued by Mr.. Cortelyou, then secretary
to be charged with the execution OF thu
| neutrality laws.
Will Prevent Interference.
Admiral Goodrich further reported to
the navy department that he had taken
precautions to prevent any interference
with the Lena as she lay in the harbor
and had caused her to be surrounded
by Gordon of torpedo boat destroyers
This guard will serve a double pur.
pose: 1t wilt not only prevent anything
in the nature Of a cutting-out expedi.
ton, as in the case Of the Ryeshitelni al
Shanghai, but also will serve to insur,
the detention of the big transport unit
some final understanding is reached q,
to her disposition.
Minister Takahira called at the stat,
department Tuesday and had a shor
talk with Mr.. Adee. the acting secretary
The minister having received the repor
of the vessels arrived from the Japanes,
consul general in San Francisco sal,
that he called simply to acquaint tn
state department officially of the Lena
appearance in the harbor of San Fran
cisco, but he did not lodge any protes
against her presence nor make any de
mand as to her withdrawal He assure
Mr.. Adee that he was entirely wilnn
J to allow the United States government
J to deal with this case without inter
ference or suggestion from him.
No Light from Russian Officials.
st. Petersburg, Sept. 14.-The author
> ities here profess ignorance Of the cir
J cumstances surrounding the case Of til
Russian transport Lena, now at sa
Francisco. A high officer of the ad
miralty says that her appearance at Sa
: Francisco was surprise, as Vice AZ
, miral Skrydloff had not notified thel
that the Lena was going to San Frar
cisco from Vladivostok, and they ha,
3 no information of the purpose of hi
cruise. The foreign Office also state
r that it is without advices on the sui
tect.
Murder or Suicide.