The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-06
Russian Fleet Not Able 10
Leave Manila.
TIME TO REPAIR REFUSED.
Orders Sent From Washington to
Wright and Admiral Train.

Notice-If Russia Decides Not to Send
Ships Out Our Naval Com:nandant
VIII Take Paroles OF Omoers and Crews
-TOklo Places Russa's Losses At
$4,000 Killed and 1910 Captured.
WASHINGTON, June 5-The Russian
cruisers Aurora. Olez and Zemtchug, which
fed from the Japanese feet In the Straits
| OF Corea and found refuge in the harbor
at Manila, must either dismantle and be-
come informed Immediately or put to sea
within twenty four hours after Gov. Wright,
head OF the Philippines Government. makes
known to Admiral Enquist. commander
Of the Russian squadron. the decision Of
this Government.
After several conferences to-day at the
White House and the State, the War and
the Navy Departments, Secretary Taft
telegraphed Gov. Wright that under no
Giro INSTANCES would the Russian ships
be allowed to make repairs, a. Admiral
Enquist had requested. because OF the
fact that this Government does pot con-
slider that the wa rships Of a beligerent are
entitled to repair in a neutral port in
juries which were received in an engage
ment with another belligerent
Gov. Wright will communicate Secretary
Taft's instructions to Admiral EnQuist
without delay, and the matter will then
be turned over to Rear Admiral Train.
commander chief OF the United States
naval forces in the Far East, who will see
that the orders from Washin gton are car
ried out to the letter.
The State Department this afternoon
received a communi cation from the Japa-
nese Minister here asking what this Gov
eminent intended to do. Acting Secretary
Of State LOOMS replied that the President
had decided that tho Russian vessels must
either go out at once or ask to be interned
The answer will doubtless satisfy the Japa-
nese Govern ent. but the decision may
not meet with favor at St. Petersburg.
1t is maintained that the Interpretation Of
international usages relative to the grant
ing of permission to make repairs Is en-
tirely new and that customarily reason
able time would be given the vessels to put
them in seaworthy condition.
Admiral Enquist is awaiting instructions
from his Government. Gov. Wright tele-
graphed Secretary Taft to-day that he had
conferred with Admiral Enquist and that the
Admiral said he had had no instructions
from st. Petersburg. 1t is the general
opinion here that the Russians can do moth
ing but intern at once. The three vessels
are in very bad condition, and only one. the
Zemtchlg, according to reports which have
reached Washington. IL seaworthy to any
degree. and there are evidently n number of
holes in the Zemtchug which would cause
much trouble if she should encounter Lad
weather.
Admiral Train teegraphed the Navy De-
partinent to-day that it would take sixty
days to repair the Aurora, thirty for the
Oeg and seven for the Zemtchug. Jap
anese warships will undoubtedly lie wait
iny for the Russian ships whenever an at
tempt is made to leave Manila, and the
destruction OF the Russian cruisers would
lie foregone conclusion. In the face OF these
conditions it seems entirely unlikely that
Admiral Enquist will make an effort to go
to sea.
Secretary Taft's message to Gov Wright
to-day did not specify that the Russian
ships must leave within twenty-four hours
but this IL, according to international law
tie prescribed time limit and will govern
the present case. Admiral Train will be
In full charge as soon as Gov. Wright, act
ing a. the representative Of the civil Govern
ment at Wash ing ton carries out his instr,ic-
tions II the Russians decide to 60 forth
Admiral Ira In will see that they do so within
the time limit, and II they decide to intern
Admiral Train will have charge OF the dis
mantling OF the ships and will take the
paroles Of the officers and crews. Two Of
the cruisers OF the United States Asiatic
squadron are guarding the Russian vessels
now, and nothing ia being done. it ia under
stood here, to put them into better con-
dition.
There can he no m list AXE on the part Of
the Russians that the United States Gov
eminent means to fully maint ain the neu
trality Of the Philippines. Admiral Train
has not only had the various telegra ma Of
instructions Of recent date, but during the
past year on several occasions, when II
seemed probable that the vessels OF one or
the other OF the belligerents might get
into Philippine waters, instructions were
sent from Washington to take every step
necessary to preserve the neutrality OF
American territory
II the Russian cruisers are interned
there will be nothing to prevent repairs
being made Immediately, ana TO any ex-
tent the Russian Government may desire.
Once informed, however, the warshipe will
have to stay within the harbor at Manila
until the end OF the war, unlees the Japanese
Government should consent to have them
leave. This, of course. il highly improb-
able
The present case il very similar to that
Of the Russian cruiser Lena, which arrived
in San Francisco last September. Orders
were issued for the internment Of the vessel,
and the crew and officers are now under
control Of the United States authorities
at the Mare Island Navy Yard. Repairs
are now being made on the Lena at the
cost Of the Russian Government. New
boilers are being put in and other work
done.
II the three cruisers had incurred dam