The herald., 1896-05-19
Begin With the Royal Arrival at
Moscow
THE POURING RAINSTORM
Does Not Decrease the Russian Peoples
Loyal Ardor
Special Police Are Absent and Citizens may
View the August Features OF the
White Czar


OF about 500, have reached mere ana are
lodged in the Korch theater whose
stage has been transformed into vast
dining hall. The costumes of the coun-
try visitors present q most picturesque
sight, comprising all kinds from middle
Poland to the extreme Asiatic districts
Of the Russian empire.
Over the Maison Perlow, in which the
Chinese embassy Is located (the build
ing belonging to an important firm of
tea importers) floats Ii Hung Chang s
crest, the double dragon. The house is
furnished throughout in Chinese style.
The arrival of the cZar and czarina
this afternoon may be said to inaugur-
ate the festival season in celebration or
the coronation, and for which the city
and the whole empire has made months
Of preparations.
Their majesties arrived in their spe-
cial train at the Smoensk station at $50
this afternoon. The station Is about half
way between eKremlin and the Petro-
voski palace which Is to be the abiding
place of the czar until the triumphal
entry into the city Thursday. The rain
was pouring down In torrents as the
train arrived at the station. but this
seemed to have no effect on the loyal
ardor Of the people, and they gathered
at the station to the number of several
thousand to accord a welcome to their
sovereign and to catch a glimpse of his
august person. The streets were full OF
mud and the countless flags and stream
ers fluttered fitfully in gusty breeze.
An imperial pavilion has been erected
at the station. into which the imperial
party stepped from their train. and
from which they stepped into the equip
ages which carried them to the Petro-
voski palace.
The pavilion was carpeted and was
bright with floral decorations. A squad
of the czarina's regiment of Uhlanswas
thA rd IF honor nlaffOrn
Grand Duke Sergius, uncle of the cZar,
and governor general of Moscow, with
brilliant suite of officers, waited the ar
rival of the imperial party at the station.
The appearance of the train was the
signal for an outburSt of cheering ana
the military band played regimental
march as the train entered the station
and the czar left his carriage.
The czarina when first she entered
the imperial pavilion, was attired in
white tulle dress. which was adorned
with silver spangles. and sne was pre-
scented with a bouquet.
Their majesties descended the car
peted stairs from the pavilion, entered
q carriage and were driven to the Pet-
rovski palace, escorted by cavalry Of
ficers Of the highest rank. Following
their carriages came three trolKas,
which were occupied by the Grand Duke
Sergius and his grand duchess, the Grand
Duke Michael Michaelovitch, cousin or
the late czar, and his grand duchess,
and by the infant grand duchess. Olga
Nicolaiovna, daughter OF the czar' WHO
is not six months old.
The passage of the party through the
streets was greeted with great enthus-
iasm, the route being lined with great
crowds of cheering spectators.
One of the special features of the pres
emf event In Moscow is the doing away
with the custom of employing special
constables in citizens dress to guard the
route of the cZar coming ana gong from
the city. On great occasions the route
of the cars progress IS guaroeo py
a double line of military, double rank or
civilians in the ordinary police uniform.
the police of the defense department
and the detective police. The doing away
with the sworn civilian ranks Will give
better opportunity for the czars SUP
jects at large to witness his passage TO
the coronation.
the city are not yet completed. put are
far advanced and on all sides the eVl-
dences of confusion and hurrying OF the
last touches for the great celebration.
The character OF the prepsrations -
most imposing. The palace of the Grand
Duke Sergius Is especially magnificent.
Opposite the governor-generals resi-
dence is a great frame screen built TO
mask an unsightly building used as a
guard room for the troops on oHlclal
duty at the palace; Near at hanu IS
a watch tower of the fire department,
which was a clumsy and unsightly op-
ject, but has been decorated with ever
rreens and thousands OF lamps 1or IL
Elimination by night.
Nearly all of the buildings In MOS
COW are built Of wood and prick ana coy
cred unfortunately with a white
stucco. the general effect being that OF
a wholly white walled city. The cover
ing of stucco has been almost un1VerS-
ally renewed and freShened for the oc-
casion lending to the city peculiarly
brilliant aspect.
Verskava street, being the route of the
czar's progress to the Petrovsk palace
to the Kremlin, has concentrated within
its length much of the preparation. This
preparation has necessarily been very
elaborate to insure a point or vantage
for the vast number who are under Of
fetal care The competition for posi-
tion among those not officially provided
for has been unprecedented. Many
houses along the street have been rented
at high rates for the whole year merely
to secure the lessee's window for the pro-
cession on Thursday For single WIN
dows fabulous prices have been offered
and many bitter disputes over points
for seeing the spectacle have already
made their way into the courts The
street shows along its length many com.
modious pavilions set aside for the use Of
the favored ones. All are solidly built
and have the bulbed roofs and towers
characteristic of the Russian architec-
ture. These pavilions are placed at the
Intersection of the street with the broad
highways that follow the course of the
various ramparts which have been built
IN concentric rings about the ancient
city. The coloring of all these Tempo
iary structures is most brilliant. in ac-
cordance with the Russian taste, and
Is confined to the primitive colors in
broad stripes and splotches on roofs and
sidewalks. Great iron columns have also
been erected along the streets length
Tor a brilliant electric illumination
Huge obelisks, draped and vividly col
ored by day, and carrying brilliant lights
from top to bottom by night, are features
OF tne decorations Electricity is used
Tor the first time at cgard coronation.
Eia porate preparations have been made
by the authorities to avail themselves Of
tnls agent. Nearly all the public build
ings nave their complete outlines traced
py nght wooden frame work for the
,support OF the electric lights and fairy
lamps which show the architectural