RUSSIAN PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 240, 6 March 1880, Page 2

RUSSIAN PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.

Few persons,says the Nautical Gazette,, a journal published in the United States, have any idea of the amount of work that is being planned or is in process of construction in America for the Government of Hussia for aggressive naval opera in the event of a war with Gr -at ijritfaiu, _„ " flicre can be no doubt that it is <&& aim of Russia to destroy, as far as possible, the mercantile marine of Jier enemy, whose greatest element of strength and prosperity in time of peace is h'»r maguificant fleets f-f merchant vess-.-ls, hut which in time of war may prove n very serious element of weakness. The cruisers procured by Russia in America are intended « be, the writer continues, the nucleus of a grand system of governmental privateering ; an 1 it is expected that " the grain fleets of the Pacific, the wool-laden ships of Australia, and the valuable veseels on the transatlantic trade, as well as the costly laclen ships of the East Indies," will furnish a very rich return for &e subscriptions which ''have been and are being collected in all parts of Russia. Passing on to the details of the Russian privateering scheme, the write.- informs us that a " torpedo system is designed to play a very important part in the proposed programme. A new design of this class of destructive engine has bwn perfected in the United States, anil scores of handy little torpedo boats requiting two men only for their management, have, we are further told, been built in the most secret manner both m America and elsewhere. Already some of these small craft have been sent out to the Pacific, and even ia China these little "marine devils" «ura be found, awating the signal to deal havoc among the enemy's shipping ; though so small that they can be carried at the davits of a ship like an ordinary boat these torpedo c aft can be used :at sea with perfect safety, and it is gurmised that every Russian cruiser vi 1 be supplied with from four to six of them. In conclusion, the writer adds that it is a well-known fact that Russian agents have full knowledge of the speed, capacity and qualities of every steamer at all suited to their purpose in this country." _«_■■■■«