The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-21
Walk and Drive Taken by the Czar
and Czarina, Who Kept VI. LOubet
and Others In Waiting.
VISITED THEATER AT NIGHT
HIS MAJESTY MUCH PLEASED AND
APPLAUDED LITERALLY.
Whole Upper Gallery Occupied by De-
tectives, who Were Hidden Be-
hind Screen of Palms.

COMPIEGNE. Sept. 20.-Emperor Mich
olas exercised the prerogative of an auto
crat to-day and kept President Loubet and
all the French occupants of the Chateau
Compiegne marking time the whole morn
ing until he had signified his desires. It
was fully expected that he would drive TO
Pierrefonds and visit the castle and that
afterwards he would go shooting in the
great park attached to the Chateau Com
piegne. All the arrangements had been
made and 500 pheasants were brought spe-
cially last evening and let loose in the
covers. But he did nothing of the kind.
His Majesty remained in his apartments
after breakfast quietly until 10 o'clock,
when he took a short promenade in the
gardens, attired in a dark suit and top
boots, with the Czarina clad in her invari-
able half mourning and followed by a
hound The Empress carried her camera,
with which she took number OF views.
Their Majesties passed squad OF lnfan-
try stationed in the park and the officer
gave the order to present arms. Thereupon
the Czarna photographed the group-sub-
sequently conversing with the officer and
promising that he should have the photo.
After returning to the chateau the En-
peror had a nginterview with NJ. Waldeck
Rousseau, the French premier. 1t lasted
at least two hours Count Lamsdorff, the
Russian foreign minister. also conferred
with NJ. Delcasse, the French minister OF
foreign affairs. Naturally what took place
has not been oivulged; but ii is whispered
that the principal subject of the two inter
views was the commercial relations be-
tween France and Russia.
DETECTIVES IN THE WOODS.
After giving it to be understood that he
would arrive at Pierrefonds, the Gar left
the chateau with the Czarina in victoria
at o'clock, with no escort except a few
detectives on bicycles, who kept discreetly
in the background, thus giving him the
seclusion of a private drive and the life of
an ordinary mortal Measures were taken
within the park, however, that absolutely
precluded the approach OF any stranger.
The entire outer circuit of the park
patrolled by cuirassiers. while every few
yards along the palisade inclosing the park
were stationed foot soldiers, with fixed
bayonets Numerous detectives were hid
den in the woods. In order to test the
measures taken to safeguard his Majestys
person during the drive five detectives were
instructed to attempt to enter the park last
evening under cover of the darkness. In
every case they were captured before get
ting inside the chateau gardens.
The Emperor wore the undress uniform
of the Prevbrajeski Regiment. He changed
his route quite Unexpectedly. and. instead
of proceeding TO Pierrefonds, took a short
drive to the village of Beauxmonts, return
ing TO the Chateau Compiegne at o'clock.
In the meantime crowds assembled in the
streets of Pierrefonds waiting his arrival.
local authorities Expectation was des-
tined TO disappointment. The route was
kept free of traffic by gendarmes, but all
to no purpose.
The streets OF Compiegne presented a
most animated aspect all day long. In
the afternoon an immense concourse gath
cred in the hope of Witnessing the Car
drive through a part of the town or the
out park. but the only satisfaction en-
joyed was a pleasant surprise visit TO the
Town Hall from NJ. Loubet. His progress
between the Chateau Compiegne and the
Town Hall constituted a striking comment
upon the extraordinary precautions sur
rounding every step the Car has taken
since he has set foot on French soil. Nj.
Loubet gave no inking of his intention.
The first thing known, not merely to the
general public, but to the police was when
the President. accompanied by NJ. Waldeck-
Rousseau and General Dubois, chief of the
military household, emerged from the gates
of the chateau on foot. The road to the
Town Hall was hastily cleared as well
possible.
with a view 10 the possibility of such
visit, even had to send out and gather in
the members of the Town Council, who
were quietly slipping afternoon lunch coffee
in the neighboring cafes. The manner in
which the visit was conducted was one
of those charming touches that endear NJ
Loubet to the French people.
All ceremony was absolutely excluded.
and the whole proceedings were carried
out in the most informal fashion. NJ. Lou
bet chatted cordially with the mayor and
councillors. making joking remarks and
asking questions regarding the antiquities
and paintings in the municipal collection.
Finally he said "a kind word TO the daughter
of the janitor as he left the building.
INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
Two interesting incidents of the day were
the reception by Emperor Nicholas of Cen
eral De Boisdeffre, former chief of the
French staff and the baptism OF the infant
son of Count De Montebello. French am
bassador 70 Russia. General De Boisdeffre
who had requested an audience, arrived at
the Chateau in civilian clothing from Paris
and was received by the Car at o'clock.
having previously changed his costume
TO the uniform of a general. The meeting
was based on a purely personal acquatnt-
General De BOsdeffre was chief of the
French staff during the previous visit of
the Car and gained the friendship of the
father Of Nicholas while French ambassa-
dor i'm St. Petersburg. The Car therefore
signiied his assent TO the generals natural
request for an audience. Notwithstanding
this explanation, the NatiOnalists, who only
remember the part General De Boisdeffre
played in the Dreyfus AFFAIR. exult in his
reception by the Car as a reflection upon
the government. declaring that il is con-
nected with the dissension in the army
with General Andres conduct as minister
Of war. This however, Is absolutely un
true.
The baptism of the son OF the Count Of
Montebello took place In the apartments OF
the Car after his return from the drive
His Majesty had promised 10 act as god
father IL was originally intended that the
ceremony should occur at the chateau OF
the count. and Prince Ourousson. Russian
ambassador TO France, had been designated
10 represent the Emperor. Last night how
ever the Czar expressed an intention to act