Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-11-09
.dissrm or dismantle the Geier and the

disarm or dismantle the Geier and the
i Locksun.
Whatever guard may be placed or
beard these vessels is a matter thai
comes directly under the jurisdiction
of the navy department | am glad
that 1t Is all over. am quite willing
to shift further responsibility to the
Oroad shoulders of the United States
navy department.
| lnternment-What 10 Done.
! OF particular interest at this time
ere former instances of internment oil
vessels in U. s. ports, these ports
being neutral.
One OF the most noted of these In
stances, and one whose details may
be compared with that of the Geier
occurred at San Francisco in 1904
when the Russian cruiser Lena took
refuge there
John Bassett Moore, until recently
counsellor Of the state department, dis.
cusses this Interestingly in his authori-
tatiye international Law Digest. He
says:
September Is, 1904, the russian am
bassador and the Japanese minister
at Washington both advised the de-
partment OF state of the arriyal'at San
Francisco of the Russian transport or
auxiliary cruiser Lena, with crew of
500 men and an armament of 81 quick
firing guns The Russian ambassador
stated that the vessel was in an I'M
seaworthy condition, and asked that
she might received all aid compatible
with neutrality. The japanese min
lister asked that appropriate meas
ures' be taken. On September IA the
Russian ambassador, was advised that
IL the vessel was repaired only such
bare repairs could be allowed as might
be necessary to render the vessel sea-
worthy end enable her to reach the
nearest home port, and that even such
repairs could be permitted only on con-
dition that they should not prove to be
too extensive; that an inspection made
by United States officers at San Fran
cisco showed tnat the repairs asked for
included e complete outfit Of new boil
ers and the reconstruction of engines
which would consume at least four or
tain's estimate, eight months, and
amount to renovation Of the vessel.
II was declared that this could not be
allowed with a due regard to neutral
ity, and an immediate answer was de-
sired as to whether the Russian gov
eminent preferred to have the limited
repairs made or to have the vessel laid
up at the Mare Island navy yard.
"On the 18th of September the Rus
sian ambassador asked for a delay Of
48 hours, in order that he might re-
ceiye the Instructions of his govern
ment, but he was advised in reply that
the captain of the Lena had informed
the American naval authorities at San
Francisco that the ship, being unsea-
worthy, must disarm, and had asked
that. she be allowed TO make needed
repairs. In view Of this formal appli-
cation OF the captain of the vessel.
the president, on the afternoon of the
18th of September, issued an order di-
recting that the Lena be taken into
custody by the naval authorities of the
United States and disarmed under the
conditions:
OF Interment
I'D That the vessel be taken to the
Mare Island navy yard and there dis.
armed by removal of small gups1,
breechblocks, small arms. ammunitr Il
and ordnance stores and such aer
dismantlement as might be pref sibed |
BY the commandant of the NAP yard;
GU that the captain Of the Leo should
give q written guarantee at she
should not leave San r. lcisco till
peace had been conclud 8, and that
the officers and crew sha'I lid be paroled |
not to leave San Fry isco till. some
other understanding IS to their dis
posal might be reat led between the
United States and 10Th belligerents;
tS1 that, after dis} .mament, the vessel
might be removal to a private dock |
for such reasonable repairs as would |
make her seawbrthy and preserve herl
in good condition during detention, or
be so repaired at the navy yard, should
the Russian commander so elect, and
that while at the private dock the |
of the navy yard should |
rus custody of the ship, and that
long should be oyerseen by an
al n fficer to be detailed by him; |
'eed up NE cost of repairs, of private
mes md of maintenance OF the
'uio ram, ers and crew while in Gus
OF Me d be borne by the Russian
De Lon but the berthing at Mare
par ~ the custody and surveil-
the amshe vessel by the United
oil that the vessel, when re-
pc Gnep peace had not then been
ZEN nere should be taken back to
mhen and there held in custody
10 she pie of the war The Russian
eld' ~ way expressed the adherence
MP mop, snment to these conditions,
me. the pashat the officers and crew
pc was TEN except i've officers and
snt- sIand g who were necessary for
.ess 10 It, yht be permitted to leave
the tates.i The Japanese gov
n.y. Two glthe other hand. asked
s MassachSffcers and crew be de-
ing, hunting United States tin the
ess lncreasef hostilities. The presi-
title the "oouhaf III wonld mt hc cor.