The Acting Secretary of State to the Russian Ambassador.
Washington, May 10, 1905.
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 4th instant by which you inform me that Commander Rytchagow, a high officer of the Russian transport Lena, interned at San Francisco, has been granted four months’ leave of absence by the Imperial Government on account of the very precarious state of his health, verified by the medical authorities of San Francisco, and requesting this Department to take the necessary steps to secure permission for Commander Rytchagow to avail himself of the leave granted.
It appears from a report of a medical survey in the case of Commander Rytchagow, transmitted to the Navy Department of this government, that the medical board found that officer unfit for duty, due to nervous prostration, and that its probable duration is indefinite, and the board recommended that he be sent to the naval hospital at Kronstadt, Russia, for treatment and final disposition.
Consistently with the position set forth in the personal note to you of April 13, in the case of Captain Berlinsky, this Department has ascertained from the Japanese legation at this capital that the Japanese Government has no objection to a leave of absence for four months, or indefinitely, being granted to Commander Rytchagow for the purpose stated.
I have communicated a copy of this note to the Secretary of the Navy in order that the naval authorities at San Francisco may be advised accordingly.
Accept, etc.,