The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-17
RUSSIAN OFFICERS BAD FAITH
THREE FROM THE LENA SAID TO
HAVE VIOLATED PAROLE.


and VIII Demand Their Return as Prls-
oncrs-Men Under Suspicion Thought
TO Have Gone Home for Service.
WARRINGTON, Feb. 1o.-The Govern
mont OF the United States has called upon
the Russian Government for an explanation
of a serious breach of international good
faith on the part of officers Of the Russian
cruiser Lena, which sought refuge in the
harbor OF San Francisco last September.
The Lena was dismantled and sent to the
Mare Island Navy Yard while her officers
wero paroled for the period Of the war and
her crew placed under the surveillance
OF Government officials. Through naval
officers at Mare Island the authorities
here have learned that three officers
Of the Lena, an engineer and two MD
shipmen, have broken their parole and
an investi CATION of the State Department
has disclosed that they have returned to
Russia and offered their services to their
Government.
The dismantlirg Of the Lena and her Sc
questrationa at Mare Island were requested
by her commander. Capt. Berunsky, and
an order issued by the President on Sept.l5
placed her officers on parole not to leave
the United States during the hostlIties
between Russia and Japan.
The violation of their pledges by the
engineer and the two midshipmen ia re-
garded by the officials here as an exceed
iagly serious affair. and the State Depart
ment has made plain TO Russia that the
breach must be remedied. While the
matter Ia still under discussion.it ia under
stood that this Government will insist that
ha NJ hal ~ % m bp
custody Of the United States naval authori-
ties at Mare Island. In the event that
they are returned they will. Of course. DO
treated as prisoners and not as privileged
persons.
The paroles Of the officers and crew Of
the Lena were given to Captain NOW Rear
AdmiiaD Bowman II. McCalla. comman
dant of the NJ ire Island Navy Yard. and to
Rear Ac IN q, Goodrich, commanding the
Pacific squadron. who handled the situation
In September for this Government The
Russian officers had considerable freedom,
and leaves of absence from tho Govern
m ent reservation at Mare Island were
frequent. The men who left were among
those who got permission to so to San
Francisco. This was several weeks ago.
1t Is not known just how they went to
Russia or whether or not they all went
together They carried with them their
arms and uniforms. Admiral McCala,
who has been in charge Of the crew, awaited
their return and finally reported TO the
Navy Department ha. the three men
ha broken their parole
This was three days ago. and che matter
was Immediately turned over to the State
Department. Secretary Hay communi-
Gated with the Russian Government at
once. In the meantime. from n source
which has not been made public, it was
learned by the State Department that the
escaped officers had offered their services
once more to the Russian Navy Depart
ment. II was admitted in Official circles
tonight that this Government had notified
Russia that the men hndbroken their paroles
and had asked if it were true that they had
appeared in st. Petersburg
A the United States Government is re-
sponsitle for the men IA long AZ they are in !
and under parole. the only course
open to thia Government is formal request
that the fuRitives lie Immediately returned |
unless Russia takes this action of her own
voliiion.
Count Cassini the Russian Ambassa dor.
conferred at ltngth to-day with Secretary
Lay.
Soon after the Lena arrived in San Fran |
cisco the japanese made it known to this |
Government through Minister Takahna, |
hat they would make an emphatic protest
II the crew were allowed to return TO Russia.
Ii is quite likely that japan will make au-
other protest il the three officers are not
returned TO the United States.
President Roosevets order OF Sept IS.
1904, was specific in saying that the Lena
be dsarmed and that the crew be not al
lowed 10 leave America until an under
standing could be reached between japan
and Russia. Part OF the order was as
ollows:
That the Captain OF the Lena give a
written guarantee that the Lena shall
lot leave San Francisco until peace shall
rave been concluded; that the officers and
rev shall DO paroed not to leave San
until some understanding may
e reached between the United States and
10Th tho baili