THE RUSSIAN SHIPS IN THE PACIFIC.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 774, 2 June 1877, Page V

THE RUSSIAN SHIPS IN THE PACIFIC.

We lately drew attention to the Russian war sliijis wintering at San Francisco, and m another column appear the rpmarka j of the Melbourne 'Argus,' on the overmatched state -of the Bvitish force available :o cope with them m the event of war between England and .Russia, which may, we think, be set down as a safe event to bet upon. It is .satisfactory, however, 10 find that

what ships we have m these seaa, are on the look out for our Russian friends, if we may judge from the following, which appeared m a i-eceut issue of the* Wellington. 'Argus':— "lt has already been reported that six or seven Russian ships, under au ..admiral, are lying m the bay of San Francisco, ostensibly wintering th ore, bub it is not so generally known that three or four days after they entered the port four English war steamers from the China stutiou also eutered the Q-dldeu Gate, aud apparently intend also to winter m those pleasant quarters, where there m direct tole graphic cominunieation \vith England. Of course, as England and Russia are at peace there is nob the .slightest reason to suppose that the arrival of the two -fleets about the same time was anything more than a curious coincidence ; but it is one which will not a lii tie reassure her Majesty's liege subjects, m these colonies. The Russian and the English crews will, no doubt, fraternise and enjoy their winter quarters amazingly, and should events cause a sudden departure of the Russians before the whiter is over, probably the Englishmen would feel too lonely to remain long after the others."