The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-02
OPERATIONS OF THE RUSSIANS IN THE
PACIFIC.

ANTICIPATED NAVAL CONFLICT IN THAT SEA.
[From the London News, April 1871
Russia has been in the habit of maintaining a perma
nen naval force in the North Pacific. II has had
pie of so-called men OF war Zone of them CT dcvant
okhotsk and Awatsha, and one or two frigates have
generally been sent in the Of many years to
visit these out stations But Russia has at present
squadron in these sea the force and whereabouts
Of which is difficult to ascertain with precision On the
10th Of February last the Russian steamer vostok paid
flying visit to Shanghae To this visit indebted
the information that Admiral Pontiatn, with the main
force Of the Russian squadron at that time of Manga
saki for which port the yostok sailed again next day
The ayowed object OF the Admiral is to negotiate with
the japanese government for the opening Of its terrific
ries to foreign commences and if the brought to
Shanghae by the Vosok Ia to be credited he has
ceeded in obtaining favorable answer from the Emperor
In anticipation of the arrival Of Commodore Perry with
the American squadron. This favorable answer, how
ever appears to little that wooding
and watering shall continue to be connived hther
to, and that in short tmesay in the course of year
soopen trade with Japan shall be permitted But il
is evident from the Of the Russian ships
that japan not the only object OF their rendezvous in
tho Northern Pacific. They have been flying about all
directions peepng into the most important British har
bors, Some time ago heard Of the Russian frgate
Dwna having yentured SO far south to take flying
survey Of the harbor Of Sydney and several vessels Of
the Russian squadron appear to have recently
made deliberate examination of Singapore.
The squadron, too is the point Of receiving rein
forcements three Russian ships-of are known to
be at this moment their way to the North Pacific
verse their sailing qualities very indifferent indeed
must by this time be well to the channels which load
from the Asatc archipelago into the Pacific Ocean. To
look after this Russian force we have the British Of
the Pacific station and in the Chinese waters.
We have recent authentic account OF the
ments Of the former the latter number accor ling to
the latest accounts fifteen vessels of various szeshps
briggs and steamers carrying IN all 24S There is
reason to fear that naval force in those made
quae to cope with the Russian but much viii depend
upon whether the Russian British ornaments first
receive intelligence Of the declaration of war The
naval war waged by the Russians in those is
to be buccaneering one. bouncing upon merchant
vessels confident that their too few in mum.
ber and too uncomfortable in value, to adm.s Of
making reprssls to any considerable extent II the
British gov eminent do its duty the priority Of inteli-
gence must Of necessity fall to the lot of cruisers
By the overland mail the be conveyed TO snga
pore and Hong Kong, and to the principal Australian
ports in less time than the Russian government at
this season transmit Il overland 10 Okhotsk and II will
take the Russians almost long time TO forward the
from 0khotsk to Nangasaki from St. Petersburg
to okhotsk With due energy on the part Of govern
ment, the Russian naval commander has chance Of
learning the actual declaration OF except from
ships 1t is barely possble-certainly not probable
Pacific might fcrestal II is therefore possible for
the British naval force in the waters OF the Pacific to
take the enemy by SURPRISE and thus iberate
chants and shipowners-home and colonia-from
the anxiety that begins TO haunt them. But 10
this end IL will have been requisite that ntmaton
should have been despatched to our naval stations
March, that the formal declaration Of to be Is.
sued in three four days. and by the mail which left
sued These strange times which live in when IL
Is possible that of the first shots fred in the
may be in the remote Pacific.
Aprrehensions, we observe, entertained at Sinss
pore that cosp de main may be struck at their unfor
Ned town by detachment from the Russian squadron
vi course some Russian ships have been examining the
road ths matter ought not to be entirely dsrcgarded
but appears but slender ground for fear this
score. The Russians are not likely TO entangle them.
selves among the narrow channels of the Asatic Archi
pelago with the soundings and OF which they
are not familiar, 80 long there are French and
English mcn-ofwar both in the Pacific aud
indian oceans. dash at Sidney Mel
bourne would be a little more feasible; but the
main Russian force will not venture so far from sohs
Ayan, Okhotsk, and Awatshs, which may need their
guardianship ere long, and for two OF their vessels
TO the gauntlet Of French and English cruisers as far
the hern coasts Of Australia liz scarcely 10 he
thought Of. We're unhappiy at with the United
States have doubt that such enterprise might
he undertaken but is too adventurous Tor Russian
mariners.
There IT, however risk 10 our mercantile ships in the
Pacific and tie Chinese waters which will fequire 10 be
lootod stnrfiv into rvcn th0wrh lie Rrslar tiia IL
the North Iseac SHOULD be swept from tie seas, or