Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-05
CANNOT GRANT TINE
Russ an Ve,sels Must Be In
termed if Repaired.
GOV. WRIGHT NOTIFIED
WARSHIPS MAY LEAVE MANILA
IN THEIR PRESENT CONDITION.
Result of Conference This Morning
Between the President and Secre-
taries Taft and Morton.
GOV. WRIGHT NOTIFIED

ceived from the governor this morning
relative to the disposition of the Russian
warships as follows: Time cannot be given
for repairing injuries received in battle;
therefore the Russian vessels cannot re-
pair unless interned until the close of
hostilties.''
The Secretary explained that, of course,
the Russian admiral might leave immedi-
ately with his ships if he cared tc dc so
rather than intern under these conditions,
which were necessary because it was not
shown that the injuries sustained by the
ships resulted from storm or stress Of
weather.
Secretary Taft had previously received a
cablegram from Gov. Wright at Manila
stating that the Russian admiral, Enquist,
in answer to his Gov. WrighD question
as to plans with reference to repairs of
his ships. said that he had no adviceS from
his government, but was expecting In
StructiOnS.
The Presidents decision regarding the
disposition of the Russian vessels at Ma
nila that they shall inferno put to sea,
is in accordance with the best naval opinion
and is in pursuit of the policy of strict
neutrality followed by this government from
the beginning of the war. 1t is specifically
declared that this is no intention to show
the slightest favoritism in the matter and
that everything possible will be done for
the comfort of the wounded Russians. The
ships when interned WILL of course, be al
lowed to be put in labitable condition and
such repairs as are necessary to keep them
afloat will be allowed.
Conference at the White House.
The decision of the President was an
nounced after conferences this morning
with Secretary Morton and Secretary Taft
AS soon as Secretary Taft returned to the
War Department he made public the sub
stance of his instructions to Gov Wright,
who is the medium of communication be-
tween the Washington government and Ad-
miral Enquist.
Secretary Taft stated that if the Russian
vessels had incurred their damages BY
storm at sea and under accidental condi
tions they would have been allowed to take
all the time necessary to repair before be-
ing required to leave port, but that the
damages that had to be repaired had been
incurred in battle and the hospitality to be
extended to war vessels in neutral port
did not contemplate permitting repairs to
injuries incurred in battle.
That was all he would say, but 1t was
evident he and the President had talked
over the question fully and that there was
little else to say.
Secretary Morton said that no request
had been received from Admiral Enquist in
comnidfiG of the Russian cruisers, for their
internment, the understanding of the Navy
tine in which to repair and supply his
ships. Exercising it's discretion in the mat
ter, however, this government had decided
to order the ships TO be interned to await
the close of hostilities.
Like the Lena Case.
The circumstances, the Secretary added,
were almost analogous to those of the
auxiliary cruiser, Lena, which was interned
at San Francisco about ten months ago.
The Lena put into San Francisco and re-
quested that she be permitted to make some
necessary repairs to her boilers and ma
chinery. A board of survey composed OF
United States naval officers examined the
ship and decided that it might take sixty
days to put her in first-class condition. Af-
ter considering the matter carefully, in the
light of all the facts, orders were issued
by this government that the vessel should
be interned Since that time she and her
crew have been held at San Francisco un-
der the observation of the United States
naval authorities.
The vessels will be kept under the OBJ
servation of the United States naval squad
ron at Manila.
In issuing orders for the internment of
the cruisers, the United States government
has acted upon its own initiative as to what
was best to be done in the circumstances
1t is regarded. in official circles, as certain
that If the ships were allowed to make re-
pairs at Manila and then to leave that port
for the Japanese fleet.
Instructions to Admiral Train.
The instructions to Rear Admiral Train.
who is to be in supreme charge of the de-
tails of internment, were prepared at the
Navy Department. that being the practice
followed when the Lena put into port at
San Francisco. and was interned under
the direction of the commandant of the
Mare Island ward The fpStdnctiona
to Admiral Train were cabled to Manila in
the expectation that Admiral Enquist will
forthwith decide to intern In view of the
bad condition of his vessels.
So far as can be learned the Japanese
government has shown no concern, so far
as Washington Is informed, regarding the
course of action to be taken by this gov
ernment. Mr.. Takahira, the Japanese
minister, said today: 1--WE have every con-
fdence that the policy to be followed will
be in strict accordance with the neutrality
SO carefully maintained by the Washington
government"
1t is understood that when the Czarevitch
put into Kiao-Chau after engagement with
Admiral TOgos fleet of Port Arthur she
could easily have been put into seaworthy
condition In a very short time, but repairs
the vessel had been interned. So that
while the Berlin government may not have
announced its policy in so definite a form,
in this case 1t is in effect the same.
To Notify Enquist.
Gov. Wright will notify the Russian ad-
miral Immediately of the intentions of this
government When he has done this the
execution of the orders will fall upon Rear
Admiral Train Thenccforth he will handle
the situation. seeing that the Russians are
fully dismantled and properly interned IL
they desire to stay in the harbOr at Ma
nila, or that they leave within the time
limit, which has been placed on their de-
parture. The Russian admiral will prob
ably communicate with his government at
once.
The instructions which have been sert to
Gov. Wright are In the strongest terms, and
leave no loophole whereby the Russian ad-
mira1 might gain time.
Admiral Train cabled the Navy Depart
ment today that 1t would take sixty days to
put the Oleg in seaworthy condition, thirty
days for the Aurora and seven for the
Zemtchug. All are evidently in bad condi-
ton and it would be fooihardy. in the opin-
ion of nearly all government officials in