The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-07
CORONATION MEMORIES.
What an American Saw i'm Moscow
Prominence OF Lii Hung Chang.
New York Tribune.

New York Tribune.
A Tribune reporter yesterday met Creigh-
ton Webb. who has recently returned from
Russia, where he assisted officially at the
coronation ceremonies at Moscow. The re-
porter taking UP the topic of the hour,
asked Mr.. Webb did you see Ii Hung
Chang while you were in Moscow
''Of course was the answer Although
the city was full of royal personages from
all parts of Europe, heirs apparent and
others whose names are known all over the
civilized world as synonymous with rank,
power or brains, there was no one there SO
conspicuous or who excited such universal
interest as the sreat Viceroy The Marquis
Yamagata, with his laurels fresh upon him,
the reoganizer of an army, almost the re-
generator of a race, the successful hero
who brought a winter campaign, an inva-
sion by sea of an enemy's country to a
successful termination-even he, in COM
parison with the splendid old statesman of
the yellow jacket. was relegated to a
ond place in the popular interest.
The Viceroy arrived from the frontier
in the private car of the Empress of Rus
STA, with all the state, pomp and circum-
stance BETTING his high rank and distinc-
ton. You have doubtless heard how the
great Chinese tea merchant of Moscow al
tered the entire facade of his house, chang
ing it into a beautiful Chinese palace COW
lions and all sorts of fantastic Chinese
decorations. This he placed at the disposal
of the Ficeroy and his suite. There it
was that he gave audience to all the Orien-
tai magnates who had come to attend the
coronation. 1t was not my good fortune
to be present on this occasion, but it was
described to me by one who was there, a
distinguished New York lawyer and ex-
soldier, who, by the simple courtesy and
ease of his manners, and by the quiet dig
nifty with which he bore his splendid pres
ence, added greatly TO the prestige of the
American mission. The Viceroy. it seems
received regal honors from his guests, be-
ing seated on throne at the end of the
great room. Much as he means to us and
to Europe. he meant infinitely more to the
Orentals in Moscow as the representative
of the mightiest nation in Asia. That same
intense interest in all serious subjects of the
shown in Germany. France and England.
and which I hear he has already shown in
this country, he manifested in Moscow. He
went % the great Russian exposition at
Mini Novgorod and there he is said to
have proved himself a fitting rival of Dom
Pedro of Brazil in the keen intelligence
with which he propounded questions which
went to the very root of every subject in
which he became Interested.
How did he rank with the other embas-
sadors?" was asked.
He ranked above them all. owing to his
being Viceregal. He was. of course, the
recipient of many special marks of imperial
favor
the coronation ceremonies was inquired.
1T was astonishing to observe the per-
lection of detail and the absolute precision
with which the three weeks ceremonial
passed off. The Russians took plenty of
time for preparation, and when the mighty
machine was set in motion it moved
smoothly and without hitch. The Russian
railroads very weak in the matter of
rolling stock. A special train is not mat
ter Of everyday occurrence with their Off
Gals. Yet every day for whole week, from
in the morning to in the evening, ten
to Moscow all of which started
and arrived on their scheduled time. In Eng
land or here this would not mean much,
nor, for that matter, would it in Germany,
but there are several other countries in
Europe, which 1 need not name. in which
it would be simply an impossibility.
What were the most impressive scenes
of the three weeks? First, of course. the
itself: then the illumination of
scribe this would be foolish. 1t was done
on such a scale and with such wonderful
hereafter there was nothing left TO see in
that line. 1t was AUTOMATICALLY beauti- |
full t Then there Was the gre geaf f9ur BAL
Is there to-day such magnificent spectacle |
as that of court ball in Russia. It is one |
of indescribable majesty As q curious eX- |
Derience attendance at one such ball would |
amply repay a trip TO the further end of
Europe.
Our country was we'll represented at the
court ball in the I>remlin. There We're pres |
emit Mrs. John A. Logan, with two or three |
Stokes and his wife. fresh from q series of
visits among the imperial studs of Southern |
I
lad dropped in to see a few of the many
friends they had made at the Chicago eXhi- |
btion. and many others"
Pole Mr.. Webb replied: II
don't like to think of it. 1t was shocking
of it an impression that will never be |
Who was to blame? l don't /
know, and under the circumstances I don't |
cast a gloom over the whole remaining pc |
rod of the ceremonies. 1t came a |
insisted on going from hospital to hospital |
to visit the wounded and on the Emperor, |
who, like most constitutionalIy brave men, |
IS as tender-hearted as a woman. The |
whole incident, and the fashion in which, |
after it had happened, it was treated, gives |
much food for thought. vast throng |
son on another. A few moments pass, and |
t opens out again, and there lie dead $500 |
work of removing the bodies began at |
once. and simultaneously go the final |
} clock. At 9 these are at an end, an6 the |
court. the Diplomatic Corps the invited |
suests are driven back to town, passing
Ill the way in the dreary procession of |
,orpses. The ball at the French embassy
.akes place that evening. 1t is a political |
junction. 1t cannot be post poned. and the |
poor young Emperor and his Wife muir |
nuring for their stricken subjects, have to
20 to it with death in their hearts, as
.hirty-six hours every trace of the disaster
5 wiped out. The dead are buried. The
1cIO resumes us accustomed appearance,
md the great REACTION of the coronation [
moves steadily as ever.
This is not heartlessnesS. 1t is the Rus
sian character. The Russian is good fell
ow. and is very kind and gentle. but he is
| fatalist by instinct. The thing has hap |
1ened. 1t can't be helped. Everything in |
he world is done for the families who
nave been bereft of their bread-winners, |
md that ends it. The Russian is indiffer-
mt TO the sufferings of others, but so he is
o his own. That same quiet carelessness
IS TO what fate may have in store for
him which finds expression in such mag
liti6 ent displays of courage in the hunting |
ield. in such profound contempt for death |
IN the field of battle. the Russian takes |
With him into everyday life He is a very |
iuiet person. especially when in a crowd /
,ut, as we say, he gets there.
Russia has been compared by a great |
writer to a bear whose vast bulk lies
stretched across all northern Europe and |
Asia / should compare her rather to a /
mighty glacier, which is slipping, creeping
yer quietly onward If it meets 90
'tacle 1t either grinds it TO powder or
l ria r with he