THE RUSSIAN VOLUNTEER FLEET.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1254, 24 April 1880, Page 3

THE RUSSIAN VOLUNTEER FLEET.

The Morning Post draws attention to a lecture delivered in St. Petersburgh by M. Semetchkin on the equipment of the Russian, volunteer fleet. In the address there is no attempt to conceal the fact that it was the intention of the Russian Government to prey upon oar mercantile marine with the " volunteer cruisers " had England and Russia to war over the Eastern question. While General Stolietoff was making an alliance with Shere Ali to embarrass us in India, 31. Semetchkin was equipping the fleetest steamers he could find in America to destroy the British mercantile marine. The conduct of leading American citizens and the cordial help which was given by some of them towards the Russian enterprise form an interesting commentary upon the results of the Geneva Arbitration. According to M. Semetchkin, no less an authority than 3lr. Gushing, who took part in the Geneva settlement, and General Ben Butler* also " one of the first lawyers in America, gave the Russians their advice upon questions of international law. Mr. Adams, formerly American Minister in this country, i 3 credited with having shown great interest in the movement. He even convened a meeting of newspapers reporters, and explained to them, for the benefit of all who desired to help the enemies of England, what the law would allow them to do. M. Semetchkin also received assistance from the Protectionist Commercial League; and, according to his own statement, the American Government ondertook to keep him informed of the measures which might be adopted against him by the English. M. Semetchkin is so very candid respecting the object of hi 3 enterprise that there is no reason for doubting any portion of his evidence. Bis statement, therefore, ought not to escape the attention of the English Government.