Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-05-08
M, u,mbria,s ssissfon,
| ni.p.teh 10 nd chlcaso Timsl.

mission Of the Cimbria excites a gres
deal Of interest in diplomatic circles
In the first place, 1t is the universe
opinion Of diplomats that war between
Russia aud England is inevitable. This
opinion is, of course, not published on
the street-corners; that is not the diple
matte custom. 1t is, however, in private
conversation treated as an assured fact,
Just how soon q declaration of war will
come no one predicts, but the prevailing
opinion is that negotiations cannot be
prolonged beyond the LIST Of July. I'm
Der the circumstances, then, it is but
natural that the arrival of an acknowl'
edged Russian vessel at the hsrbor Of
Ellsworth, Me-, with a large force Of
Russian sailors and officers, should excite
great curiosity in diplomatic circles.
After spending the day seeing and con.
versing with friends connected with the
various legations, a wellinformed gen
tleman gives an intelligent summary Of
the views which he has heard generally
expressed. Ia the first place the pres
ence of the Cimbria on cur coast was not
unexpected.
The English representative, Sir Ed.
ward Thornton, had reliable informa-
tion, though OF an indefinite character,
about vessels having been bought or
chartered by the Russian government
and dispatched to the United States.
The same information, in less minute
ness, came to the German and French
legations. 1t is not believed, however,
that Russia contemplates the fitting cut
of privateers in this or any other quar-
ter. She is estopped from this BY the
treaty of Paris, to which she was a high
contracting party. Upon this point
there is a perfect unauimity OF opinioR
in diplomatic circles at Washington.
The great powers Of Europe will not con-
sent that privateeriug shall be even
winked at. The treaty of Paris in this
respect will certainly be enforced. But
it is said that Russia will not issue let
ters of marque, but will make vessels
regular men-ofw war; that is, that Russian
officers will have regular commissions,
and the ships will be manned by Russian
sailors drawn from the regular contin-
gent.
In regard to this it is held By the ma.
jority OF foreign authorities on interna.
tional law here that before a ship can
become a mar ot.war in the regularly
accepted sense she must first touch at a
Russian port. Ships, therefore, which
we're purchased on the Atlantic coast Of
the United States would have no hope Of
reaching a EurOpeaN Russian port.
They would not be likely to make the
voyage TO the Pac fc II they could be
purchased on the Pacific coast they
might be manned outside the three
mil 8 territorial limit, and proceed to a
point on the eastern coast OF Russian
Siberia, and there become regular war
ships. This, it IS Beloved here, is the
real object in point, if Russia really
ean anything by sending out the Gin.
bria.
The coast of Eastern Siberia will be
an entirely new factor 10 the impending
war between Russia and England. II
war actually comes, it will be an ex.
ceedingly difficult coast to blockade. 1t
is long and dangerous, and, as a basis OF
war upon English commerce, would at.
ford Russians many advantages which
thy had not during the Crimean war,
and might give England a great deal Of
annoyance. All stories which migat
have been started about the object OF the
Cimbria being TO strike English vessels
plying between American ports and
Liverpool, are mere ignorant imaginings,
because the treaty OF 1854 between Ras.
STA and the United States will make it
exceedingly dangerous for Russians to
NEEDLE with English vessels carrying
American goods. This is shown By care.
;ul analysis Of the treaty.
Sir Edward Thornton, British minister
here, has called the attention Of the
State department to the presence Of the
Cimbria on the coast of Maine, and the
suspicious circumstances attendant upon
her charter, as conveyed to him by his
government. he has reminded the de.
psrtment that the rules laid down by the
treaty Of Washington, as we'll as our
neutrality laws, are in force both in peace
and in war, and he has requested OUT
government to obtain through its officers
at Ellsworth such information Of the char
acter Of this vessel as will prevent any
violation Of neutral rights. Itis under
stood in diplomatic circles that 10 case
any attempt is made to transport the
passengers Of the Cimbria to San Fran
cisco a serious remonstrauce will be ad
dressed to our government by Sir Ed.
ward. The opinion 10 diplomats circle,
is unanimous that war between Russia
and England is inevitable. the declars
tisn probably coming about the lst o.
July.