THE RUSSIAN CRUISERS.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1203, 13 March 1880, Page 3

THE RUSSIAN CRUISERS.

A correspondent, writing from Boston to the New York Nautical Gazette; aays : "Few persons have any idea of the amount of work being planned or in process of construction in this country at the present time for the Government of Russia, for her aggressive naval operations in event of a war with Great Britain, which seems imminent. There can be no question of the fact that it is the aim of Russia to destroy, as far as possible, the mercantile navy of her lifelong and bitter enemy, whose greatest element of strength and prosperity in times of peace is ncr magnificent fleet of merchant vessels, but which in time of ■war may prove a very serious element of weakness, as it would require her whole armed navy to care for and protect them. Russia has a very insignificant mercantile navy compared to that of Great Britain, having only 156 sea-going steamers, aggregating 77,994 tons, and 1852 sailing vessels of 425,090 tons ; while Great Britain has 3542 sea-going merchant steamers, aggregating 2,555,575 tons, and 18,357 sea-going sailing vessels, aggregating 5,584,128 tons. The merchants of Russia have contributed their money pretty freely to the Imperial Government with wm'ch to braid fast cruisers to capture a portion of the enormous fleet and turn it into prize money, and to augment her cruising navy and her mercantile marine. This glorious harvest of tonnage has been held out as an inducement to the merchants to contribute freely to the iund which built the Russian cruiser at Philadelphia last summer, and for the purchase of several steamers in Europe. These cruisers are the nucleus of a grand scheme of Government privateering, for they reali ly have been built by private funds but are manned by Imperial officers and crews, the prize-money to be shared by the private subscribers. The American-built eteamers, with those purchased from the German lines, will probably be sent to various siations in the South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and at a given signal will commence operations, seizing upon the best suited steamers of the enemy, which will be manned by prize crews, and mounting a gun or two transferred from the captor, will hoist the 'blue-barred" flag, and go their way also on a mission of warfare and destruction. The grain fleets of the Pacific, the wool-laden ships of Australia, and the valuable vessels in the transatlantic trade, as well as the costlyladen ships from the East Indies, are looked upon to furnish a very rich return for the subscriptions which have been, and now are being", collected in all parts of Russia. The torpedo system is also destined to play a very important part in the proposed programme. A new design of this class of destructive engine has been perfected in this country, and months ago the drawings and working plans were sent abroad, and scores of little handy torpedo ciaft, operated by two men, have been built in the most secret manner, both here and abroad. 1 hese craft are to be carried at the davits like an ordinary boat, and oan enter a port and deal out destruction with amazing precision and rapidity . British ports can bein vaded as if by magio, and whole fleets destroyed in a few hours. Already some of them have been sent out to the Pacific, both north and south, and even in China thete little ' marine devils' can be found, w iiting the signal to work havoc among the enemy's shipping. They can be used at sea with perfeot safety. It is surmised that each cruiser will be provided with from four to six of these 'devils' with which to supply her prizes. So it can readily be seen that in sixty days I uf sia could be wor ing millions of mischief upon English merchantmen 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 thin country, and probably the price at which each could be purchased, if there be need of further increasing the number of cruisers, and in all probability thei present owners would sell almost any of them lo a cash customer, without even asking for what purpose they were intended, c here are other matters connected with iiussia's preparations for a uaval warfare, whiob. is intended to be short, sharp, and decisive, so far as it is possible to do so, which for the present is left to circumstances, which may transpire with the next few weeks, andin the meantime I must leave the subject just hare, having shown the general outline of the present plans of operations. It is by no means improbable that English agents are in some degree informed upon the general plan, and many are of opinion when it comes to the last extremity Great Britain will back down, fearing wholesale destruction of her fleets, the pride and power of her people. Russia may be poor, but she is a bold, aggressive nation, and will ever strive to carry out the dying testament of Peter the Great."

A single hair from the head of a pretty woman brought 80 dollars at a raffle in Alabama, the other day, which reminds us that there are some pretty women in this neighbourhood who buy their locks at the same rate. 'J hat is we have heard the hair-dresaer says so, but we don't believe a word of it. Thu new Pure Caih System now being initiaedt by G. and C. will certainly pro\o a benefit to the public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when strictly carried out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods arc marked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery, millinary, and clothing at such pi ices for cash as gives the bujer the advantages of a shareholder in a co-operative society, without the risk of being called upon to bear <i portion of the loss should the year's business pro\o unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell will aim to retain the confidence which the public have hitherto shown them, and are detirmined to gives the pure cash system a fair tri.il ; whether they gain or lose the first year. Country buyers on remitting cash with order will be .supplied with goods, at co-operati\e prices ; just the same as though they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding, and general house furniture, the largest portion of which is turned out at our own factory, will be marked at the lowest remunerative prices, and a discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. G. &C. ha\ing realised the entire value of their stock during their late cash sale, the present stock is new and chuaply hougiit. An inspection is muted. — Garlic k and Cran wi.ll, City Hall Furnishing Arcade, Queenstreet, Auckland.