The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-05-03
RUSSIA MAKING READY.
Her Active Agents in This Country Ex-
cite the British Representatives.
Has Ireland's Time Come at Last 4?
National Associated Press to the Star.

National Associated Press to the Star
New YORK, May 3.-The mission of the
Russian transport Cimbria, coupled with
the report that an Irish contingent is being
formed in this city to act in concert with
the Cars army when war shah have been
declared, has caused no inconsiderable ex-
citement at the British Consulate in this
city. An unusually large number of
strange visitors called on Mr.. Archibald
yesterday, and there was great hustle and
activity among the attaches, as though
something of serious nature was ON the
tapis.
One of the attaches said the Consul was
still i'll the city; another hinted that he had
gone to Philadelphia, and third said he
had gone to Washington to confer with the
British Minister in matters connected with
his office, and would return at once. That
something of Importance is on the eve of
being developed is rendered certain by the
action of clerks and not few of the callers
who manifested most intense eagerness to
gain audience with the absent gentleman.
1t is alleged in certain quarters that the
British Government has lately become cog
infant of plans of the Russian agents III this
country, which if not foiled at the proper
time will prove disastrous should war be
declared, and that steps will at once be
taken to acquaint the State Department
with the nature of the same, and that Gov
ernment interference will be asked. These
plans are of course not bnowo to outsiders,
but it is said that the enlistment of Irish
volunteers and fitting out of vessels to
prey upon British commerce are the main
ones.
1t has been known for three weeks past
that agents of the Russian Government and
several wGll-known leaders of the Irish Ma
tionals have been in frequent consultation,
and to-day it is openly declared that COM
pact has been effected which will insure q
corps of Irishmen, who will take the field
against England when the first gun shall
have been fired.
O'Donovan Rossa, who figured so prom
inently in the Fenian movement, and who
is said to be deeply interested party in the
new enterprise, said that while he would
not deny that men were ready and willing
to fight with Russia against their ancient
foe he was not prepared to say just now
that they were being organized for that pur-
pose. He and all his compatriots were
ready to take sides with any nation to fight
the English. One hundred thousand of his
countrymen could be placed in the field
within a fortnight, and when the time
comes for them to strike there would be
music in the air. Further than this he
would say nothing.
Gen. Thomas Francis BOurke, the Fenian
leader, who, it is said, was recently in Wash
ington and had held several protraccd in
teryieWs with the Russian Minister, was also
interviewed. He acknowledged that he had
been lately in Washington, but declined to
say whether OF not he had made oyertures
for supplying an Irish auxiliary corps to
the Russian Government. In answer to the
question, as there any truth IN the story
that there was a movement OF this descrip-
ton among his countrymenP' he said ::
"Undoubtedly!' and continued "the Irish
Nationals will strike at the proper moment.
We feel kindly toward Russia to be sure,
and will willingly go, shoulder to shoulder,
with her soldiers, should war be declared;
but think our blows will be struck on our
native heath, and when we once get started
we will fling away our seaboards and burn
| bridges behind US When asked if Can
ada or any of the British Provinces would
be an objective point of the Irish forces,
he answered, "No; | repeat, we will fight
on Irish soil Canadians are emigrantS, like
ourselves; so are the people of Nova Scotia
and further north
Another prominent Irishman who was
interviewed on the same subject did not
hesitate to say that organizations of his
countrymen were being perfected through
out the Eastern, Middle, Southern and
Western States; that they were plentifully
supplied with new and improved arms, and
that goodly portion of them would act in
conjunction with the Russian forces.
The report that the Russian Government
has purchased the new steamship State of
New York of the National Line, to be used
as a cruiser or transport, proves on inquiry
to be false The President of the Pacific
Mail Steamship Company denies the report
that negotiations are pending for the sale OF
| its steamers to any persons or power.
New York, May ga London special
says most alarming change has taken
place in the situation of England in the
face of Russia All England is deeply ex-
cited over certain disclosures which have
lust come to hand in relation to Russia s
secret naval preparations The statements
published recently in telegram, relative to
| Russia's American cruisers, have been more
than verified by discoveries of the greatest
importance to England and to the United
States. A Constadt correspondent of the
London Globe now writes to that journal
and declares that several steamers have been
purchased by the Russian Government fol
privateering purposes, and, that these yes
sells are now stationed at Reyel Harbor.
Revel is a strongly fortified seaport Of
Russia, and situated ON the bay on the
south side of the Gulf of Finland, two hun
dred miles west southwest of st. Petersburg
One correspondent states that three of the
vessels that have been fitted out left Reve
week ago, and their destination was
America. Provisions and armaments vii
be supplied by American firms. A large
number of seamen on board are fully armec
and equipped. A still more astounding
revelation is to the effect that there is suffi
GENTLY numerous reserve seamen unde
general command and at the disposal o
Grand Duke Constantine to supply twenty
ocean steamers like those that have already
departed for the United States, and, further
more, there is reason to believe that Russi;
will make The most of her opportunity by
employing not only this immense reserve
force, but also additional forces Unnecessary
said negotiations pending between Russi;
and several steamship owners in the United
States for the purchase of many more yes
sells.
PHILADELPHIA May 3.-Sensational storie
in relation to vessels and firearms here fo
Russian service are generally denied thi
morning but the stories about the ship
ment of arms are conflicting.
|
| priansa