The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-13
The Full Meaning of the Oimbria's
Visit Explained.
INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN SEMETSCHKlN.
Russia in Any Event Proposes to
Enlarge Her Navy.
NO NEED OF MYSTERY.

morning at the Everett House ana sent up his card to
Captain Semctschkin, tho Russian oincer That gen.
tlcman was engaged ut tho moment but shortly after.
ward invited his visitor up stairs. Captain L. 7.
Semeischkn Is an aidcde-camp to tho Grand Duke
Constantine, and has TO this country charge OF
whatever business, in connection with naval Affairs
1t may DO the intention OF the Russian government 10
transact Ho Is very Intelligent looking man OF
quite an attractive personal appearance In height
he is about tho medium range, with dark hair and
mustacho slightly tnged with gray. After offering tho
HERALD representative scat tho following CONVEX.
sation ensued -
REPoRTER-I have been anxious, Captain. to have q
talk with you In order to obtain clear account OF
the object Of your visit tho United States you
care to give.
Captain SEMxrscnKIS-I glad to have the oppor.
tuny to explain through tho HERALD every that
has any connection with my visit to this country, as
II IS "a, wish OF my governments 10 make no secret
about our business order to AVOID any possibility
OF giving tho American government annoyance
through any breach OF the neutrality laws. We fcel
too grateful Tor the kind consideration that been
shown US by tho American people 10 return taer
good VIII By any act that might place Thorn In un-
pleasant position.
REPoRrER-How is it that there has beon much
mystery surrounding the object OF the Cimbras visit
10 tho United States?
No MYSTERY INTENDED.
Captain SEMErsCnKIS-I very glad you asked
that question: as 1t is easily explained. Tho fact IL
should have arrived In New York two weeks earlier
than did; but unfortunately, just when was ready
to start was detained IN St. Petersburg on some I'm
poriant business tina, had TO attend to In person IT
haa not been SO detained should have arrived in
New York bolore tho Cmbria, aud then there would
have been no mystery about her arrival, AS should
have explained tho nature OF her voyage. AS It was,
when The Cimbria came and found that here,
the officer In charge, having no instructions
except what hc expected TO receive nom
me, deemed II prudent TO ROMAN perfectly
silent until arrived. Consequently tho action
OF the officers on board 1.-The Cmbra appeared 10 BIO
rather mysterious, they declined TO state tho
turc Of their mission. Since my arrival have tele-
grapaed to the commanding officer to grant leave OF
absence TO tho officers tho Cmbria that thoy
may avail themselves Of this opportunity to visit tho
principal cics and points Of interest In thar neigh
borhood. The crow VIII only have tho hoo ~ that Is
necessary for thor health. and Will be sont on snoro
In small partesof thirty or forty at q time.
REPoRTgR-Wili you give explanation OF
what you inteud to do in this country?
Captain SEMErscnKIS-With the greatest pleasure,
We aro anxious to do everything In tho most open
and straightforward manner possible. To 60 back
little, you may remember that shortly aitor tho
Crmeun some Russian naval OIL GERS visited this
country and pad considerable attention to ship
building Al that time we found navy not In 4
condition TO compete with tho other great Powers,
and officers sent to different countries order
TO have vessels built SO rs to increase our naval
strength. Captain Shustakof, aide-de-camp 10 tAcl
Grand Duke Constantine, camo to this country, and
under his supervision Mr.. Webb built tho magnificent
frieate General ADMIRAL and tho two storcships
japanese and Mandcjorc. Al tho same ,imo Captain
LusansKy, another aldo TO the Grand Duke, was In
France experimenting the Of no iriglto
Svctana, the corvette Bayonne and tho impera
yacht Standard. Other vessels wore also built In
other countries, and our navy considerably strength
encd. The timo has come again that The Grand Duke
Constantine has learned from recent sxperienc
during tnc'war with Turkey, that Russia Is In need
OF far larger naval force than u has hitherto owned.
To further this idoa the government awarded the
OF 1900 0c0 roubes to be expended annually tho
Improvement Of the condition OF tho navy During tho
Centennial Exhibition was duty 10 this country,
and was employed q considerable portion OF my
time IN making thorough examination OF the ship
building interests. Consequently l have come hero
again, and with tho authorization build purchase
vessels that may doom suitable for our navy. am
personally In favor OF having much OF WORK
done in this country as possible, because the work
quite good II not better than got In Europe
and, again, wo have tho advantage OF having Il
cutcd by friendly nation that has always shown q
kind disposition toward us.
RgpoRrER-Now as to tho direct nature OF the Cim-
bria's missionf
RESPECT FOR INTERNATIONAL Law.
Captain SxMETscnKiN-fhe Cimbra has on board,
the officers and that any cruisers that
we may purchase and a out In this country We have
perfect right during tmo OF peacs purchase vos-
rhatnv a m
In Amer parts, manned with officers and
crew. OF course n We were 10 enlist men In this
country might be infringing tho Law, but that Is
something wish u distinctly understood snail not
attempt 10 do, and may again add shat tho very
greatest caution Will DC taken TO avoid giving any
trouble TO the government OF the United States with
which been SO friendly.
RKpoRrEI-Should war be declared DO you think
you could III out vessels In an American por.a
Captain sEaETscnKiy-I do not think IL would DO
any breach OF tho neutrality laws TO purchase vessels
In an Amorcan port and sond them TO sea without
any crews or armament on board, but wo have on.
Gagged tho services OF hail doznn OF your abiest
lawyers We should certainly obtain their opinion on
the subject before Il would DC attempted as we also
should oil other points 10 which there could be any
doubt as TO International obligations
RKPogTER--Havo you as yet decided upon tho pur.
chase Of any vcssclsf
Captain sExsrscHgis-No; have not had timo TO
do anything yet az only returned last night IRON
Washington, whore went Immediately on my arrival
here order 10 deliver important dispatches 10
our Minister. On my return yesterday stopped for
a few hours IN Philadelphia 10 pay q visit to some
personal friends, whose acquaintanc l had made
during my visit 10 tho Centennial also wish 10 AID
that tho so-caled Russian agent that talked to your
reporter In Philadelphia has mado statements that
know to DO untrue wo havo chartered no vessels
and do want 10 charter any. Ny visit 20 Philade
pha was merely OF social nature and had meth.
ing to do with buying any ships We not gong
TO Of out any privaecrs and whom cruisers leave
an American port they viii leave under tho Russian
nag and not under tho German Gag stated In that
Interview.
RKroRrKR--Ii was reported that the mon on board
the Cmbra TO be sent to your naval post the
Amoor River IL that truef
Captain SEMErscnKiS-If wo have no need OF tho
ut.~. h~.~