Show RUSSIAS PREPARATIONS Heavy Ironclads Swift Cruisers and Torpedo Boats for the Baltic and Black Seas LONDON April 2Russia is taking active I act-ive steps to place her navy on a better I war footing In addition to five heavy ironclads seven halfplated cruisers and I five torpedo rams were recently mentioned I men-tioned by Vossiche Zeitimg as being built for the Black and Baltic seas a number of cmisers and torpedo rams are being rapidly fitted out at Nicoliaeff the station of the Russian Admiral and fleet at the confluence of the Ingul and the Brig The cruisers are from 5000 to 8000 tons burden and will each be fitted with from ten to fourteen cannons about half of which will be of large calibre The vessels are expected to attain a speed of at least sixteen knots per hour The torpedo rams have a displacement of about 3000 tons and are estimated to go about fifteen knots per hour They will be armed in addition to two torpedo apparatuses ap-paratuses with six nineinch and four smaller guns The Emir of Bokhara has agreed to allow the passage of Russian troops and supplies through his territory in the event of war with England |