The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-13
IS CHEERED ON
 BY THOUSANDS General Kufapaikin Departs for
 the Far East GREAT ENTHUSIASM SHOWN At the Station Crows of High Per sonases Vie With the Populaee
 In Giving Vent to
 Feelings.
GREAT ENTHUSIASM SHOWN

| St. Petersburg March 12.-General Ku- ropatldn, accompanied by his entire staff, left here at'6 o'clock this evening in special train for the far east, where he will take command of the Manchurian army.
 The departure of the general was mark ed by demonstrations of patriotism and personal regard. Thousands of persons who lined the Eevsky Prospect and the approaches to the Nicholas railroad sta ton vied with the highest personages in the empire in giving vent to expressions of confidence in the new commander, who is to lead the emperor's armies to vic- tory.
 Just before the general arrived at the station, Grand Duke Nicholas Nieolai- vetch, Grand Duke Peter Nicolaiveteh and the Duke of MeclalinburgS gStreleitz drove up and alighted.
 Modestly and without the aceompani- ment of music or escort, the general drove to the station in an open carriage. He was dressed in the fatigue uniform of his rank but the short, unlmposng figure of Russas great general was instantly recognized by the populace. and hs pas sage down the broad boulevard was foi- lowed by a storm of cheers, which grew I louder as the crowd grew denser near the station.
 Enthusiasm Breaks Loose. l Here the enthusiasm broke out in mighty shouts, and in spite of the cold. the air was filled with hats,
 The imperial waiting rooms inside the station were crowded with celebrities and the staircase leading from the court yard was lined with mass of uniforms. There were cossack officers. be-starred generals and distinguished naval men. As General kuropatkin reached the head of the stairs, General Eggrestoff, white haired and trembling with emotion, began 1 to speak Inside and out, there was an l Instant hush. T have come to bid you God speed" said General Eggrestoff We all wish you q safe Journey and with Gods blessing. we shall greet your vic torious return. Take this small image of Alexis, your patron saint and wear it around your neck, and may the Almighty hold you in his keeping"
 General Kuropatkin knelt reverently and accepted the tallsman. His few. heartfelt words of thanks were uttered 1 in so low a tone. that they were bare J y heard ten feet away. Thunderous cheers burst forth when the two warriors embraced.
 General Steps Forward l General Kuropatkn then stepped for ward. He was self-possessed amid tho surrounding excitement, and walked un- aTectedly, greeting all present embracing and kissing old comrades and shaking hands with officers. He did not forget the naval and military attachees, and had a kind word for every member of the group representing almost all the great armies and navies of the world
 The Korean minister to Russia was just as enthusiastic as any Russian, and seemed to regard General Kuropatkin as the saviour of his country. He pushed and | struggled hard to get near enough 10 shake the generals hand and wish him | every success.
 Several women could not refrain from kissing the hero of the hour. One present. ed him with a large bouquet of roses The general seemed not to know what to do with the flowers, so he handed them | over to an army aide.
 Remains on Platform. | As the bell rang for the departure of 1 the train, General KuropatlSin stepped on the platform where the crush was worse | but the crowd parted. When he reached | the carstep, every head was barred The l general did not enter the luxurious car over which the insrption Eastern Chinese railway" indicated a journey of seven thousand miles. He remained at the door and waved his last farewell as the train slowly gathered headway Every voice in the multitude broke out into a roar of cheers at this, and blessings were 1 freely bestowed.
 | Behind General Kuropatl1in stood his sons in cadet uniform, and through the door one caught glimpse of the saloon filled with flowers. Amid the flowers stood | the generals wife. who with his some will accompany him as far as Moscow