RUSSIAN PREPARATIONS IN THE BALTIC.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 935, 19 July 1854, Page 4

RUSSIAN PREPARATIONS IN THE BALTIC.

Letters from Chri3tiena, ia Norway, of the 25th February, state that the crsvra of the Norwegian ships of war now fitting out arc already fully formed. Accounts from St. Petersburg!} of tha 2nd inetant state that nothing 13 heard of but armings end preparations for all events of war, on water and on land. The works of Cronstacit have been folly armed, and large quantities of powder, with shot and shells, have been sent there. Large irihtsry end naval supplies also have been sent to Archangel. The sea ports, coast batteries, and fortresses, were placed in the be3t state for defence. The regiments of guards were expected to leave St. Petersburgh in a few days; and also the Coxn-mander-ia-Cbief, Marshall Paskievritch, the Princa oi Wai saw. L'rsGh OiTjriygs to :he Government for conducting tbo war ore mentioned. Amongst others, 3000 silver roubles frona the English Company of St. Petersburgh for the relief of the wounded, and 35,000 silver roubles from th? Government of Wladimir. Th« St. Petersburg!) paper, Sammler yon dsr See, mentions the progress of the Orel, of 84 guns, and 500 horse power, whose machinery was prepared in the works of Messrs. Napier, in Scotland ; also of the screw frigate Marie, of 46 gena, and 360 horse power, oi> ths system of Perm. These new reinforcements of the war fleet ars said to be worth mentioning, on account of the greatly regretted want of war steamers, with which the other fleets oo greatly surpass the Russians. A letter from St. Petersburgb, published in the Cologne Gazette, says: — People only occupy themselves here with the warlike preparations for all eventualities by land or sea. Twenty thousand pounds of gunpowder for the navy have been sent from Cronstadt and St. Petersburgh to Petrosamoclc, and cannon and shells have been sent to Cronstadt and Archangel. About 40,{?00lbs. of gunpowder are to leave for the latter town. The war forts ars being fortified, and the coast batteries strengthened. It is believed that Marshal Paskiewitch will receive diplomatic powers, and Prince Menchikoff also." A letter from Cronstadt states, that by order of the Russian Admiralty, another ship of the line of 120 guns, the Emprets Mary, has been Sited cut. This will make the Russian Baltic Beet anuunt to twenty-eight ships of the line. The Empress Mary is commanded by Captain Bendiscbeft, and will form part of the first division of the fleet now at Cronstadt.