The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-02-20
MUST SEND BACK
LENA'S OFFICERS
Break Of Parole a Breach OF
International Honor.
y. S. MAY ASK CAR TO ACT
This Country Was Practically Responsible
to Japan for Safe Keeping Of tho
Russian Naval Officers.
U. S. MAY ASK CAR TO ACT

washington, Feb. so--It Is practically
certain that II Russia does not volunteer
20 send back TO this country the three
officers of the Russian cruiser Lena who
broke the paroles they had given TO the
Ctrfted states government by leaving San
Francisco and going back 10 ST. Peters
burg, tho United States government will
make a formal and strongly worded re-
uuest that the men be returned.
Not only is the United States govern
ment responsible 10 Japan to a certain ex-
tent for keeping the crew OF the Lena
wft16n the United States, but the depart
urs OF the three officers constitutes such
n breach OF International honor that Rus
siaL I'm ADDITION 20 being asked 10 return
the parole breakers, will probably receive
n hint chat she should otherwise make
Hrnends
The statement from ST. Petersburg that
Il was not known there that the men
had given their paroles IA dismissed here
az absurd. government official today
said enphatically that the officers and
men OF the Lena had given their paroles
tn accordance with an order issued by
President Roosevelt at the time. This
action was taken upon the request OF
Capt Beriinsky, commander OF the Lena.
Rear Admiral McCalla, commandant OF
the Mare Island navy yard. was given
charge OF the officers and crew Of the
Lena numbering nearly 400, and OF the
vessel herself
BEEN GONE SIX WEEKS.
The manner In which the three officers
Midshipmen Michacless and Diajan and
Engineer Kopazin took leave Is regarded
as adding TO the dishonorable character
tbotr
Admiral McCa.lla treated them with
every consideration and frequently allow
ed them leave to 10 TO San Francisco FOR
visits.
From the reports received at the navy
AND state departments the three officers
took advantage of Admiral McCala
kindness.
IL has como TO light that Il was nearly
six weeks ago when they left the navy
yard after asking for and securing two
weeks leave from Admiral McCalla. They
never reappeared.
When the period OF the leave passed Ad-
miral Mcosalia waited n while, expecting
the officers TO return. and finally reported
10 the navy department that they had
broken their paroles.
Then Il was learned that they had ap-
reared I'm St Petersburg. This inforina-
ton. IL is said, came from Capt. Berlins-
Ky, though no authoritative statement to
that effect has been made
The navy department turned tho matter
over to Secretary Hay who at once com
municated with Ambassador Mccormick
at St Petersburg, telling him the facts or
the case as the state department had
tnem- No official answer has been receiv-
ed from Russia, though 1t was nearly
week ago that the instructions were ca
bled TO Mr.. Mccormick.
IL is not known whether tho answer
Will come through Ambassador McCor-
mick or through Count Cassini, the Rus
sian ambassador.
OTHER VIOLATIONS.
Count Cassini the Russian ambassador.
has heard nothing from his government
roncerninf the incident, aud he said yes
terday that the situation would be ham
nled by tho Russian consul at San Fran
cisco
Mr.. Takahira, the Japanese minister. Is
deeply interested in the matter, and has
communicated the facts as known TO
Toxic. His report has brought forth no
answer from his government. and IL Is
not probable that tho Japanese govern
ment Will ask that the United States make
n demand on Russia for the return OF
the three officers unless Russia shows a
disposition to let tho negotiations drag.
In that event Japan might protest for
II is certain that the TOXIC authorities are
not willing that the three officers. bound
by their word to stay within certain limits
should reentsr the Russian navy.
japan has complained heretofore about
Russian officers breaking their paroles.
The commander OF the destroyer Ryes-
hNelnf. which sought refuge at Chefoo
last August and was attacked there by
the Japanese cruisers. made his escape
while being transported by the Chinese
authorities from Cheefoo 20 Shanghai
In the Japanese note 10 the powers.
issued several weeks ago In ansker 10 the
Russian charges Of alleged violations OF
neutrality, this incident and one or two
others were cited. AT various other times
japan has protested because Russian Of
1cers have returned TO ST. Petersburg
and re-offered their services after hav-
ing given their paroles.