The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-08-19
CAR GREETS DR.. TALMAGE.
ELCOMED AMERICAN MINISTER
AT HIS SUMNER PALACE.


national Topics Revival of n
Friendship Formed in 1892 when
DIR. TaImage Went on n Mission of
Bread-He Gives an Estimate of
Russia's Ruler.
Copyright, 1900 the Christian Herald, New
York.
Excepting my interview with all the
imperial family. eight years ago, when l
came here with Or. Klopsch of New
York. on a mission of bread in time of
famine, this visit has been the most in
teresting of my life. My family have
been as royalty received as myself Be
fore leaving London. l was told that the
Russian Emperor wished to see me gain.
but I did not know until a few hours be
fore presentation that my wife and daugh-
tiers would be invited 90 appear at court,
This reception is a revival of the friend
ship formed in 1892 which friendship has
been strengthened by tokens of regard
and kindly communications again and
again.
l found the Emperor strong and well.
looking not day older than when l met
him before. He said:
II was "A when you were here the other
time; l am now 3d."
The cares of empire have not put one
wrinkle his face, although he has
passed since 1 saw him from being Crown
Prince 30 the throne. He is five feet ten
inches in stature, is a blonde. of fair com
jlexion, and has blue eyes. He is all ami
nation, perfectly natural and without any
assumption of manner. Kindness and
good cheer are dominant in his makeup.
He is personally at peace with all the
world, Notwithstanding that the Chinese
have declared war against Russia, and
this country is always ready to defend
itself
The Emperor Is the impersonation of
the principles adopted at his suggestion
at The Hague. He by no means consid
ers his movement at that time a failure.
but thinks, as most of us do, that the
good results of that convention will yet
be felt. He said to me:
How many important things have hap
rened since we met! My father, whom
you saw on the rome, is gone. My moth
err has passed through three great sor-
rows since you were here; the loss of my
father, the loss of my brother, and dur
ing the last year the loss of her mother,
the Queen of Denmark. But she endures
all, and is well, apd wished to see you,
but in her own palace. Since we last met
The Spanish American war has occurred!'
He laughed heartily at the fact, that in
one battle the only loss of life was that
of a mule
When l remarked that our war with
Spain had raised new crop of heroes
he replied: "Yesr And then he easily call
ed over the names CT some of those, who.
on s. a and land, distinguished themselves
in that conflict.
Speaking of the ship-load of breadstuffs,
sent on The steamship LEO by the Chris
tan Herald for the alienation of the fam
inc in Russia, in 1892 he said
How kind that was in you Americans
to send that help at a time when many
of my poor countrymen so sorely needed
it. 1t was a great merry en1 we can
never forget it,"
When l referred to the cordially be-
tween our nations, and the fact that l
had talked with his father about the in
terest that Russia had taken in Ameri-
can affairs during our Civil War, he
said:
"Oh. yes; my father told mo all about
our Russian fleets in the harbors of New
York and San Franci7co, to keep off your
fore ign enemies"
The Emperor expressed much interest
in our coming presidential election, but
for which candidate he indicated a pref
erence, I do not say. 1t would not be
courteous to answer all the questions that
have showered upon me from America
and Europe concerning this interview. He
remembered the royal present sent by
himself and the one by his ia Their through
Count Cantacuzene, the Russian Minis
ter at Washington, who telegraphed me
to Brooklyn that he had a presentation
to make me from his Emperor, but 1t must
be ON Russian soil, and so l was to APP
pear, and did appear on a Russian war
ship in Philadelphia harbor to receive
the gift. "''f ! .1i@
Everything promises for the present
Emperor long and happy reign. for he
is admired of all classes, and is of tenn
permanent that will not take on the wor-
ries of responsible place. After we had
expressed each for the other all go6d
wishes l retired, feeling that l had been
in the presence of splendid man, and
one who, by nature and education was
well-fitted to reign over a vast empire.
At the close of this interview, we were
conducted by officers of the court into
the room of the Empress. She talked with
the ladies of my family as she would
with sisters. She Is very beautiful; her
cheeks are aglow with health, and she
has suevity in every posture and word.
She is taller than the Emperor. She ex-
presses her opinion without reserve. Ev-
identity this royal marriage was love
match, and not marital alliance for po-
litical and International ends. The En-
press has three daughters, but no son.
We heard their frolic and laughter in
other rooms. The land that had an En-
press Catherine the first, and an Empress
Catherine the second, can never have an
other Empress, for the law now demands
that man and not a woman must gov
ern Russia. Hence, with great interest
this nation watches the imperial cradle.
If there be no son in this family, then
Michael, the brother of the present EN-
peror will inherit the throne.
When the present Empress was being in
structed by priest In regard TO the Ie-
ligion of the, Greek Church which she
was expected to adopt she got tired OF mis-
instructions one day, and told the priest
that she knew az much about the religion
of the Greek Church as he did Under
this. affront the priest retired, declaring
that she would have seven daughters, nut
never a son. The great masses OF the
people have heard of this prophecy; and.
accustomed to believe what the priest say,
they are depressed by it. May this proph-
ecy prove a new illustration of the truth.
long ago established. that ministers Of
religion sometimes make mistakes as well
as other people!
But there was another pleasure to
come. Before we left the dining-hall in
the palace of Peterhof, we received an in
vitation from the Dowsger Empress TO
xyis{t har In her raIacQ A more delighted