The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-20
MUSCOvITE PREPARATIONS.


PLEASANT TALK on BOARD THE cIMBRIA-
STORY or THE DEPARTURE ron AMERICA
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN CASE OF wAR-A
RUSSIAN VIEW OF THE RESULT.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
SOUTHWEST HARBoR, May 10 1878
I 6nd tho Russian officers board the Cmbria
very keen for any signs OF war between England and
their country. large newspaper mail is received
board every day, and, though tho New York papers
arc days old when they reach tho steamer they
are eagerly scanned for war news. The HERALD Is,
as usual considered tho best authority on European
AFFAIRS aud It's cable messages taken authentic
in giving the condition OF affairs ON the ether
sido OF the Atlantic.
DEPARTURE FOR AMERICA
In conversation with the principal Russian officers
here ] learned tho circumstances under which orders
embark for America received. 1t appears that
there are three divisions board tho Cimbria each
consisting OF 200 seamcn and twenty officers
These divisions commanded by lieutenant CON-
manders, or as they termed board, lieutenant
capaiuA
"Why,' said my informant, 1--WE did not know we
TO come 10 America three days before the Chm
bra sailed. was on duty at Cronstadt, winch you
know is an island and ono night received orders
TO soioct the men for my division. They all
good conduct men. you would call them;
that Is every man Is known 10 NE personally good
seaman and steady as sailors 80. We were 60
ashore next morning, and, though tho ice between
tho island and the main land was very and
certain, We managed to cross by sending the
In mall parties on z'zzag route. There two
boats In the open water ready hand to tender
issuance II it should be necessary Two days after
were on board the Cimbra aud in Two ut for
our destination"
Your correspondent rcmarking that as nearly all the
officers spoke tho English language they must have
been selected :or that reason the Russian officer
plied:-
mo doubt that had good deal to do with II, but
not altogether, for several OF officers scarcely
speak word OF your language. But, II there is
war; and II appears more like war than ever, our
being able to speak tho language OF our enemies will
be useful, as It has been in intercourse with
American friends here and elsewhere"
N CASH OF WAR.
"If we go to war with England It will be q bitter
fight. and shall DO obliged destroy all vessels
captured-eithcr burn or sink hem"
'What will you do with your prisoners?"
s'herchantmon will be IaEen on board and kept un-
I'll neutral vosscl Is spoken, when suppose they
will be put on board and their passage be paid to
sonc English port With naval prisoners II will DO
different II hostitics begin many strange light At
will be Tor tho torch will, doubt, bo ap-
piled to captured vessels"
RUSSIAN VIEW OF THE RESULT
"What do you think will be the result OF the wargn
"rhat is very difficult TO answer My national feel
ing and pride OF course lead say that Ru STA
viii be the victor. at sea nghting will, or course be-
gin at once. On land there will be delay. England
may be able TO wage u campaign this summon, but
when winter she will seek TO avoid engage
H,Y Fac Iudi cnd thor
OF winters. such were experienced the Bal
kans while Russian troops light and march better
In winter than In summer. You remember that when
snow foil last year the world thought the campaign
had ondcd, though we knew 1t Ind only begun"
MANNED
In further conversation with officers found
that when the vessels purchased In American ports
wore ready they would probably be manned at sea,
ami there would be no waiting for n declaration OF
war; II Is quito evident that Russia intends equip
nm Atlantic feet, war war, aud tho announce
mont that Mr.. Cramp has sold tho State Of California
tho Russsn government Is hailed with delight by
these officers, who or course ANXIOUS TO BIO re-
leased from their conf nemsnt board tho Cimbria
and tread decks OF their own.
vessel camo in last night and reported that
strange steamer had boon seen or the coast and IL 10
believed TO be an English cruiser watching for moro
Russian transports. Tho Russians hopo shc will not
como in here for then they could not trust thor
on shore because OF the danger between them
and tho English tars, for It would DO embarrassing TO
have handto-hand baltic between tho rival sailors
on American soil
Affairs on board the Cimbria very quiet to-day.
Tho usual inspection had, but there we're no
drills other exercises. Religious service was ncd
the ritual Of the Greek Church being road by war
rant ,icsr chaplain beng included the roster
OF tho contingent.