Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-05-17
RUSSIANS IN AMERICA.
The full Meaning of the Cimbria's
Sihtt EXplalned-Interv with
Captain bemetaehhl Ain.

III Huu meaning OF the Clmbr1A' \
Visit ExpIained-Interv with
Captain bemetsehh1n.
New York Herald. lSth.l
Rsporter-How is it that there has
been 20 much mystery surrounding the
object Of the Cimbris's visit TO the United
States2
NO MYSTERY INTENDED.
Captain Standardization very glad
you asked that question, as it is easily
explained. The fact is | should have
arrived in New York two weeks ear lier
than | did; bat, unfortunately, Just
ready TO start | was detained in St.
Petersburg on some important business
that had to attend 10 in person If
| had not been so detained | should have
arrived in New York before the Cimbria.
aid then there would have been no mys.
terry about her arrival as should have
explained the nature of her voyage. As
it was, when the Clmbria came and
found that was not here, the officer in
charge, having no instructions except
what he expected to receive from me,
deemed it prudent to remain perfectly
silent until | arrived. Consequently
the action Of the officers on board the
Cimbria appeared to be rather mysteri.
Gus, as they declined to state the nature
OF their mission Since my arrival
have telegraphed to the commanding
officer to grant leave of absence to the
officers Of the Cimbria so that they may
avail themselves OF this opportunity to
visit the principal cities and points Of
interest in their neigbborhood. The
crew will only have the liberty that is
necessary for their health, and will be
sent on shore in small Larlies of thirty
or forty at time.
Reporter-Will you now give me an
explanation of what you intend to do in
this c9untry2
Captain Semetschkin-With the great.
est pleasure, as We are anxious to do
everything in the most open and straight
forward manner possible. To 20 back o
little, you may remember that shortly
after the Crimean war some Russian
naval officers visited this country and
paid considerable attention TO ship-build.
ing At that time we found eur navy
not in condition to compete with the
other great powers, and officers were sent
TO different countries in order to have
vessels built so as to increase our naval
strength, Captain Shustakoff, aide. de.
camp to the Grand Duke Constantine
came to this country and under bis
supervision Mr.. Webb built the magnif
cent frigate General Admiral and the
two storeships Japanese and Mandejore
At the same time Captain Lusiansky, an.
other aid TO the grand duke, was 10 France
experimenting the construction of the
frigsle Svetlans, the corvette Bayonne
and the imperial yacht Standard.
Other vessels we're also built in other
countries, and our navy considerably
strengthened The time has come
again and that the Grand Duke
Constantine has learned fror recent ex
periences during the war with Turkey, |
that Russia is in need of far larger
naval force than it has hitherto owned |
To further this idea the government
awarded the sum OF 1900. 900 roubles to
be expended annually on the improve
ment Of the condition of the navy.
During the Centennial Exhibition | was
on duty in this country, aud was EN-.
ployed considerable portion of my time
q making a thorough examination Of
he shipbuilding interests Consequently
have come here again, and with the
to build or purchase YES.
elS that | may deem suitable for our
lsvy. | am personally in favor of hay.
ng as much Of our work done in this
'ountry as possible, because the work /,
luite as good, if not better than we can
let in Europe, and, again, we have the
.dvsntage Of having it executed by
riendly nation that has always shown
ind disposition toward US.
Reporter-Now as to the direct nature
{ the Cimbria's mission
RESPECT FOR INTERNATIONAL LAW.
Captain Semetschkin-The Cimbria has
n board the officers and men that are to
nan any cruisers that we NAV purchase
nd tt out in this country. We have a
erfect right during time of peaoe 10
urchase vessels, arms or whatever We
lay need and fit them out in American
orts, manned with our own officers and .
rev. OF course if we we're to enlist men
this country we might be infringing
le law but that is something | wish it ]
lstinctly understood we shall not At.
smpt to do, and may again add that 4
le very greatest caution will be taken
avoid giving any trouble to the gov.
rpment OF the United States, with which l
e have been so friendly.
Reporter-Should war be declared do
ou think you could fit out vessels in an
mericsn port?
Captain Semetschkin-I do not think
would be any breach Of the neutrality Y
ws to purchase vessels in an American
ort and send them to sea without anv ]
'ews or armament on board, but as we
ave engaged the services Of half a dozsn Z
your abest lawyers, we should Ger.
inly obtain their opinion on the ami.
lct before it would be attempte as We
so should on all other points in which
ere could be any doubt as to interpa.
onal obligations.
Reporter-Have you as yet decided +
pom the purchase OF any vessels? S
Captain Semetschkin-No; | have M,
I'd time to do anything yet, as | only
turned last night from Washington
here | went Immediately on my arrival
're In order to deliver some ion portant
spatches to our minister. On nv re.
IN yesterday, stopped for few hours y