The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-06-08
Russian Batt|eships Cannot
Make Repairs at Manila.
REQUEST TURNED DOWN
Permission Granted by Admiral Train
is Resc:nded by Secretary Taft
on Order of President
Roosevelt.

raj Enquist will not be allowed to re-
pair his ships at Manila. This gov
ernment mas decided that as the in
juries to the vessels were not caused
either by sea or storm, they will be
obliged to refuse permission for the
vessels to be repaired there. Monday
Secretary Taft cabled the following
instructions to Governor Wright at
Manila regarding the ships:
Time cannot be given for the re-
pair of the injuries received in battle.
Therefore, the vessels cannot be re.
paired unless interned until the end
Of hostilities.'
Admiral Train has been instructed
accordingly. 1t was stated by Secre-
tary Taft that if the Russian vessels
agreed to leave Manila in their pres
ent condition they were welcome t.
do so, but as it did not appear that
they suffered from any damage caused
by sea or storm, this government was
obliged to take the position above
outlined.
The Presidents Decision.
The presidents decision regarding
the disposition of the Russian vessels
at Manila, that they shall interne or
put to sea IS, it is said, in Wash.
ington, in accordance with the best
naval opinion, and is in pursuit of, the
policy OF strict neutrality followed by
the washington government from tho
beginning of the war. It is specifcal-
ly declared that there is no intention
to show the slightest favoritism in the
matter and everything possible will
be done for the comfort of the wound
ed Russians. The ships when intern
ed will, of course, be allowed to be
put in habitable condition, and such
repairs as are necessary to keep them
afloat will be allowed.
The decision Of the president was
announced after conference with SCI.
retaries Merton and Taft Rear Adm.
raj Converse, chief Of the bureau Of
navigation, personally took charge of
the preparation Of instructions to Rear
Admiral Train, who is to be in su-
preme charge OF the details of the in.
ternment, this being the practice fol-
lowed when the Lena put into port
at San Francisco, and was interned
under the direction of the command.
ant Of the Mare Island navy yard.
instructions to Train.
The instructions to Admiral Train
when completed will be approved BY
the secretary and cabled to Manila
in the expectation that Admiral En-.
Quist will forthwith decide to interne
in view of the bad condition Of his
vessels.
The Japanese minister at Washing
ton having formally inquired of the
department: of state. what sactien tie
United States government intends to
take respecting the Russian war ves-
sells in Manila bay, Acting Secretary
LOOMS responded that these vessels
would be interned provided they did
not leave the harbor at once. Tfis
exchange has taken place in or.ler to
formally establish the responsibility
OF the United States for the deten-
ton Of the vessels in Manila harbor
until the end of hostilities.
Russia Leaves It to Enquist.
A st. Petersburg dispatch says:
Both the foreign Office and the .ad.
miralty say the decision whether to
disarm the three Russian cruisers at
Manila or effect repairs there and
endeavor to reach a Russian port wa,
left to Admiral Enquist, to determine
according to his best judgment. Lit
tie doubt was felt that the cruisers
will be taken until the end of tie
war, as before the repairs which En-.
quist cables are imperative could be
effected, a Japanese squadron would
be off Corregidor Island, waiting to
capture Or sink the Russian boats.