Mr. Takahira to Mr. Adee.
Washington, September 16, 1904.
Sir: In regard to the disposal of the officers and crew of the Russian armed transport Lena after her disarmament, as referred to in your note of the 15th instant, I have the honor to inform you that I have received to-day from His Imperial Majesty’s minister for foreign affairs telegraphic instructions to the effect that I should inform the Government of the United States the desire of the Imperial Government to have the said officers and crew detained in the territory of the United States until the end of the hostilities.
In making the above communication to you I beg leave to express my earnest hope that the Government of the United States will find it agreeable to take into their favorable consideration the desire of my Government as above mentioned.
Accept, etc.,