RUSSIA IN AUSTRALIAN WATERS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1260, 23 April 1896, Page 42

RUSSIA IN AUSTRALIAN WATERS.

SrECIAL TO THE NilIV ZEALAND AIaIL. London, March G. There are plent" of indications that Russia intends, if l. t to challenge British supremacy at sea, at least to become the second maritime Fo "or. It is said that her rulers havo in their minds a naval programme beside which Air Goschen’s propositions with regard to the English Navy will show insignificantly. But it is recognised by tho press of the Czar’s realm that warships alone are of comparatively little value so long as Russia has no coaling stations outside her own boundaries, independent of other nations’ control. The Novoo Vromya dwells upon the necessity of acquiring stations in tho Indian and Pacific Oceans, as the English and Japanese harbours where the Tussiun ships at present obtain coal may at any time become unavailable, and points out that within easy reach of the norther coast of Sumatra, nearly in tho same latitude as tho Straits of Malacca, is situated the Island of PuloWai, which, allhou ’ belonging to Holland, lies outside Du Ii waters. According to the Novoe Vr nya that island lias two good harbours, one to tho north and the other to the south, and a lake in its midst. It asks whether this would not bo a desirable coaling station for Russia. It remarks that the coal produced from Cardiff is good but expensive, whereas that 1 1 -tight in Japan is of bad quality. A short time ago coal of good quality was discovered in South Sumatra, whence Russian ships at Pulo-Wai could easily take their supply. The island of PuloWai is i;f little value to the Dutch, owing t; tho constant attacks of the Acliinose.

Thu cession of this small territory would not in any way damage (ho prestige of Holland, at least, so says Ihe Novoo Vromva.