RUSSIAN PRIVATEERS.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2908, 11 June 1878, Page 2

RUSSIAN PRIVATEERS.

A Cronstadt cbrrespondent of the Globe writes on the abore subject as follows :— " The scheme for fitting out privateers in America is making rapid progress. A large number of seamen belonging to the Baltic fleet are under orders to hold themselves in readiness to proceed to the United States at a moment's notice. On Sunday last twenty-eight officers and 4CD sailors were to have left St. Petersburg to proceed to New York, vid Havre,in the French mail packet, but at thelastmoment their departure was postponed. Innumerable rumours are rife at Cronstadt respecting the Government intentions in this matter. It is the topic of conversation in naval circles that Prince Alexis, the Emperor's son, who spent tome -time in America a few years ago, will be appointed admiralin-chief of the privateer squadron, and that Captain Batranoff, well known for his_ exploits /in the Black Sea, will accompany him as second in command. I hate now before me a confidential' list of officers who have been designated by the Grand Duke Constantine to proceed to America to purchase, equip, and command the steamers which Russia will shortly acquire, but, for obvious reasons, I refrain from mentioning their .. names. The enterprise is to be carried out with great caution, and I have heard it stated that the first intimation England will receive of the proceedings of the Russian Admiralty will be when the officers who have already left Cronstadt Torm around them in American ports crews of Finnish sailors summoned under the stress of conscription from on board the English vessels lying there. Cronstadt itself is only three days railway journey from Havre, and ..thus, if the Russian Government pushes on with its enterprise, it will require but very little time to transport crews of effective fighting men, trained in the practice of 'torpedoing/ to the coast of France, and thence to America. At the present moment'Cronstadt is flush with seamen. We had here last weak an inspection of 2671 new arrivals—conscript marines from Finland—who are ready to be sent on any active service. As regards torpedo and other naval stotes, every day sees our vast accumulation growing larger. Subscriptions in aid of the 'National Society for Establishing a Volunteer (Privateer). Fleet' are to be opened here this iweek in common with other towns in Russia. The idea of forming a powerful fleet in America—' on the very lips of Canada, and in the very centre of tJ^e English commerce '—causes intense delight among the Baltic seamen, the prospect of prize-money-being described as ' ujasnak—' terrific' Russia, having no mercantile marine, cannot Suffer from reprisals; and she is well aware that, even if England takes the most stringent precautions for blockading the privateers in American ports, the escape of one cruiser may do as much as damage as the Alabama did."