The record-union., 1896-05-25
Interesting and Imposing Ceremonies
Attending Il.
Birthday Anniversary Exercises Of
Queen Victoria.
Ii Hung Chang Says There is No
Treaty With RuSSia-He Will Come
to America SOOn-Oom Paul Has
More Letters and kilograms That
Will be Published i'm a Green Book.

MOSCOW, May 24.-At $50 o'clock
this afternoon in the Kremlin took
place the interesting ceremony of the
conSecratiOn of the imperial standard.
This standard will be a feature of the
coronation on Tuesday, when the En-
peror will swear allegiance to the colors
in the Cathedral of the Assumption.
AT one end of the room was sort OF
altar, on which was a golden cross,
at the other side of which were lighted
candles. The standard hanging from a
staff was held by a color-bearer who
stood at the left of the altar. The
Bishops and priests of the Kremlin
cathedrals in gorgeous chasubles of
gold cloth, attended by acolytes bearing
censers, stood in front of the altar,
while at the right was the imperial male
choir from st. Petersburg, attired in
black, with crimson cloaks. Behind
the priests, at a little distance from
them, were the Emperor and all the
members of the imperial family at
present in Moscow. A short religious
service was held, composed of prayers
and responses and an anthem by the
choir. The standard was sprinl&led with
holy water and formally consecrated
the end of the service, during the sing
ing of the family choir all the members
of the imperial family filed before the
altar and kissed the cross in the hands
of the priest who bore it, after which
the standard was taken from this room
into another apartment, to be carefully
guarded until the coronation on Tues
day.
&lA L oy11
Empress drove back to the Alexandria
Palace, escorted by squadron of CUR
asseurs. They received along the route
the acclamations of the people.
A grand review of all the regiments
was to take place to-day at noon, but
as it was raining heavily it was decided
to abandon it. Later the rain ceased
and the sun shone brightly Large
crowds of people continue to arrive
daily, adding to the great multitude
already here to witness the ceremonies
attending the corona ton. Services were
held in the English Church to-day in
honor of the seventy-seventh anniver-
sary Of the birth of Queen Victoria The
Duke and Duchess of Connaught, the
former of whom is here as the repre-
sentative of his mother, the British
Queen, attended the services, accom-
panied by their suites. The Bishop of
Peterborough, who will attend the coro-
nation as the representative of the Es-
tablished Church of England, preached
the sermon. A prayer was offered for
the preservation Of the Russian imperial
family. When the Car was mentioned
a herald uttered his majestys corona
ton title
Lii Hung Chang, the special envoy of
the Emperor of China to the corona
ton Of the Car, has submitted to an
interview on the subject of his mission
in Russia and in other western coun-
tries which he will visit when he leaves
Russia.
He said he intended to go to America
after visiting France and England The
sole mission intrusted to him. he con-
tinued, apart from the coronation, was
to study the European and American
systems of government with a view to
the Introduction of reforms into China.
The Chinese statesman formally de-
MED that any treaty had yet been made
with Russia, as has so often been as
serted in the last few months.
He also said he had no projects for
the making of treaties with any power
Russia and China, he averred, are in
accord on all points, and it was China's
wish to maintain the same excellent
relations with France.
Questioned as to the relations of
China with Great Britain Ii said it was
difficult to make himself acquainted
with this point until he had visited
England.