The Russian Ambassador to the Acting Secretary of State.
Washington, April 12, 1905.
Dear Mr. Loomis: I have just received your letter in reply to my note of April 10, regarding the four months’ furlough requested by Captain Berlinsky, commander of the transport Lena.
In my opinion, inasmuch as the Imperial Government granted to Captain Berlinski the furlough requested by him on account of his health, it rests with the Federal Government alone to accede to this request for leave, and I consider the direct intervention of the Japanese Government in this question as absolutely precluded. The transport Lena is not a prisoner of Japan, but is simply interned in the United States, and the case of the three officers of this vessel who departed clandestinely for Russia and whom the Imperial Government hastened to send back to San Francisco, proves superabundantly that my government considers that the word given by these three officers to the Federal authorities binds them in honor toward the United States. It would naturally be the same with Captain Berlinsky in case he availed himself of the furlough in question. In a word, I regard the incident of the furlough asked by Captain Berlinsky on account of sickness as a matter concerning directly only our two governments. It seems to me that the Federal Government, by informing Japan of the authorization which it has given to Captain Berlinsky to avail himself of his furlough, would amply comply with the requirements of the strictest neutrality. As to requesting this authority of the Japanese Government for a Russian officer who is not a prisoner of war and is interned in a port of the United States, I consider that such a request would be incompatible with precedent and with the national dignity, and consequently inadmissible.
I should be sincerely obliged to you, dear Mr. Loomis, if you would inform me what decision has been reached, and I beg of you to accept, etc.,