Mr. Adee to Count Cassini.

[Telegram.]

Referring to my telegram of this morning, I have the honor to advise you that the President has this afternoon issued an order directing that the Russian armed transport Lena, now at San Francisco, be taken in custody by the naval authorities of the United States and disarmed, under the following conditions:

  • First. Vessel to be taken to Mare Island Navy-Yard and there disarmed by removal of small guns, breechblocks of large guns, small arms, ammunition and ordnance stores, and such other dismantlement as may be prescribed by the commandant of the navy-yard.
  • Second. Written guarantee that Lena shall not leave San Francisco until peace shall have been concluded. Officers and crew to be paroled, not to leave San Francisco until some other understanding as to their disposal may be reached between this Government and both belligerents.
  • Third. After disarmament, vessel may be removed to private dock for such reasonable repairs as will make her seaworthy and preserve her in good condition during detention, or be so repaired at the navy-yard, should the Russian commander so elect. While at private dock the commandant of the navy-yard at Mare Island shall have custody of the ship, and the repairs shall be overseen by an engineer officer to be detailed by commandant of navy-yard.
  • Fourth, The cost of repairs, of private docking, and of maintenance of the ship and her officers and crew while in custody to be borne by the Russian Government, but the berthing at Mare Island and the custody and surveillance of the vessel to be borne by the United States.
  • Fifth. When repaired, if peace shall not then have been concluded, the vessel to be taken back to Mare Island and there held in custody until the end of the war.

Alvey A. Adee,
Acting Secretary of State.