The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-08
THOSE AGENTS OF RUSSIA.
yutr 4 REPUTED COMMISSIONERS SAYS
CONCERNING the MISSION.

.r.m with capt. Hunt. who Ha. just Ar
ted with the Count Crinenbers-rhe SUBJ
,.s, of ofPr,vateerinx-Ru-sin FUZZY Auve TO
~. Possible struggle and Prepared for It.
posroy. May 7.--Capt. Henry W. Hunt,
u.e,al agent Of the Russian Government, who
,enthis country some months ago for Russia in
nomnauy with Paul Butler. Esq.. OF Lowell and
,bo has Just returned on the steamer Cmbria.
vas found by n reporter this afternoon at the
residence OF his brother liz this city, and an IN
teresting interview was had with him. Capt.
Hunt is under 40 years Of age. OF about medium
stature, with n countenancc that bears tho
marks OF hardihood and determination. lie
represented the merchant marine OF the United
stntes at the Centennial and in that capacity
made the acquaintance OF the Russian Commits
sioners to this country. After making himself
familiar with the Russian language ne accom-
panied the Commissioners on thcirtour through
the different cities of the country, and at their
invitation returned with them to Russia. He
made himself OF great value to the Russians on
account OF his intimate acquaintance with the
American shipping interests. and for his dis
tinguished services was decorated with the gold
medal representing the Order OF st. Stanislaus.
The Captain refused TO talk about the special
mission which brings him to this country. but
as an American citizen and private person he
talked very freely. He said that he had travel
led recently through Ireland. where he found.
as in other portions OF Europe. strong sympa-
thy for Russia England recognizes this fact
and has removed all the Irish troops from Ire
land the last of the reserves having left Dublin
when he was there. Their place had been filed
mostly by Highlanders. The Irish people every
where were awake to the importance OF
the approaching struggle. and having learned
from the experiences OF the past.
would not strike until the opportune
hour had arrived. As to the financial
condition OF Russia, Capt Hunt said that al
though II looked to the outside world as though
the nation was well nigh bankrupt, the true
situation was far different. The Russian peo-
pie had not begun TO exhaust their resources.
of territory and able to raise all the money they
need to fight England: The other nations Of
OF Gen. Ignatefr to Austria had been trium-
phant success. " and" said he. somewhat en-
thusiastically. " Austria is with Us. Germ1nny is
met with much encouragement IN this country;
Rich men some of them Of Irish descent. had
offered the Russian Government 10 ilt out ves-
sells OF war at their own expense to nid Russia
The CAPTAIN denied ths s'e!smenis I,d, =, madf aii
the Russian Government IN hitting out pri-
yateers. Privateers; he said. were merely
would avail herself Of such means but cruisers
may be built in this country or purchnsedhy the
officered by regular officers of the Russian
navy The abiest Internal onal lawyers in
@ EIrope sn nave NV e,tsd ont SithoUt Violating the
treaty OF Paris or rejecting upon the good
name OF the American nation. lbeeve.' he
added, that some OF our best naval officers,
who have seen service in the late war. and
many hardy American seamen and consters
have rendered their services to the. Russan
Government In the event OF war with England"
The reporter INQUIRED OF Capt Hunt , what he
"War between England and Russia is newt
b sPs thnE spd or Inn may rest
gle. When was declared between Russia
and Turkey srea' many NH Russsn7 Trre ,n op
lnG is all one way. The people are unanimous
Tor war. and they will fight with denomination
10 the last. They are also united, and can get
all the money they want. have travelled in
The country. and 1 know the sentiments of the
Reporter-7what is the character Of the prepa-
rations made
Capt Hunt--That is a secret but when the
time comes they will be found To be- OF such u
character as 10 surprise every one who is not IN
Reporter-Has Russia anticipated war with
England before the late Turk ish war?
Capt Hunt-Yes. Russia has expected war.
were commenced In this country when the Rus
sian commissioners were here in 1876 that in
the event OF war the assistance of which / have
spoken should be- rendered. and that cruisers
AMI fast sailing craft might be lifted out in tue
event Of hostlitles between the two great
The Captain added that the. cruisers to be
fitted out were to be selected for their speed.
They will be regularly comm issioned
selves belonging TO the Russian navy-crusers
attack the enemy in the weakest point When
ever war is declured II will be found that Rus
sa has been calculating upon the real strength
Of England all along. but that she has also duly
regarded her weak points. and that Russia Will
be prepared TO take advantage OF all the know-
Reporter~Whst about the march. through
Central Asia. referred to in the New York Her.
Capt. Hunt Newspapers often get things
wrong. but will say this Imuch, that the HeraM
--iIere the Captain stopped short, md. SEEM
inG 10 recollect someihing. said)i There is a
broad highway from Russia 10 British India.
and Russia will leave no stone unturned 10 gain
teporter-Excuse me- for returning once more
10 Americas part in the coming struggle.
Should Americans Join the Russian navy. what
would be the plhns adopted
j can make u Russian Of man in fifteen
minutes. and good American will make good
Russian seaman or u good Russian oiticrr.
Reporter-Then | am to infer that you are
qualified TO administer the oath of allegiance to
the Russian Governmentt
To th s last Inquiry the Captain made no reply.
oheporter- the gentleman mentioned IN the
Baltimore despatch AS a Grifenberg, ana who
was your compagnon de voyage. brother TO
We distinguished russian officer ON board the
Cimbria
Capt. HuntAafter some hesitatonl-Yes, they
are brothers. and high up in the Russian naval
service.
keporter-Then you are acquainted with the
commander OF the Cimhrini
Capt. Hunt-Excuse me. the Cimbria is a Ger
man vessel; her commander is u German. ] nm
well acquainted with some Of the Russian OH
GERS who came as passengers on the Cimhria.
The Captain declined 10 state further what he
knew OF the Cimbria and the object Of her visit
70 this country, and insisted that all he had said
was IN private capacity MS an American cltl-
gen. and not us a representative Of the Russian
Government
With reference to the probable action of
France in the impending struggle. Capt. Hunt
explained that there were in ST. Petersburg
many French residents and descendants OF
frenchmen. and their Interests were with Rus
sla. b sides Germany would be able to control
me acton OF France II she showed amy desire
u side with England. which he believed she
would not
THE CIMBRII IN PORT