The Washington times., 1904-08-14
CAR ANNOUNCES
BIRTH OF HEIR
Te Deum Celebrated in
KaZan Cathedral.
WHOLE EMPIRE REJOICES
When One Day Old Little Alexis Is
Appointed Colonel of the
Finland Guards.
WHOLE EMPIRE REJOICES

ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. 13-This
mornings bulletin from the Alexandra
Villa at Peterhof announces that the
condition of the Empress and the heir
apparent is very satisfactory.
The news Of the death Of Rear Admiral
Without and the failure Of the majority
OF the larger warships of the Port Ar
thur squadron 10 break through the Jap
anese fleet. was not known this morn
ing when the brilliant array OF officers
and diplOmatists assembled in the Ka-
IAN Cathedral 10 attend the TIE Deum
in honor Of the birth Of the heir ap-
parent Alexis.
The stately edifce adorned with mill
tary and naval trophies, colors. eagles
and keys of captured fortresses. was
filled with ambassadors, generals, ad-
m!rals. and court and government func-
tiOnaries.
Grand Duke Alexis in Chief Place.
The Grand Duke Alexis. wearing the
uniform of high admiral. occupied the
chief place as the godfather selected by
the Emperor for his first-born son, as a
special compliment TO the much tried
navy.
The metropolitan read to the congre-
cation the manifesto announcing the
birth and then the whole assemblage
Bonded knee as the prelate invoked God 5
blessing on the future emperor
Many persons wept and prayed audi
bly,. May the Almighty send him many
years OF happiness" The congregation
dispersed amid the sounds of bell ring
ing from all the churches.
Similar services We're held throughout
the empire, the priest in each case read
ing out the manifesto announcing the
birth of the heir apparent.
The United States was represented by
Ambassador Mccormick, Spencer F.
Eddy, the secretary Of the embassy;
Lieutenant Commander Roy c. Smith,
the naval attache. and Capt. T. Bentley
Mott, the military attache.
The Emperor and Empress have been
flooded with congratulatory messages,
including kilograms from all the
crowned heads
Before he was twenty-four hours old
the heir apparent received his first
military honor, being made honorary
colonel of the Finland Guards. The
colonel of the regiment later went to
the Alexandra Villa TO salute his baby
chief. The Finland Guards are 50
named because they took part in the
war against the Swedes in Finland.
The heir apparent is described as a
strong, healthy baby.
Car Announces Birth of Heir.
Official announcement OF the bir.h OF
an heir to the throne was made in the
following proclamation. issued by En-
peror Nicholas. at the Peterhof Pal
ace. The proclamation is dated July 80.
Russian style. but it was not dis
tributed until early today:
BY the grace OF Cod, We. Emperor
Nicholas the Second. Emperor and Auto
crat OF all Russias. Car Of Poland.
Grand Duke OF Finland. etc. etc. an
nounce 10 all our faithful subjects that
our dear wife, Empress Alexandra
Feodorovna, was safely delivered of our
son. Alexis
This joyous event is vOuchsafed US
and our kingdom by Cod as a blessing.
Our prayers should be rendered 10 the
Most High for a continuance II. growth
and health Of this, our first-boan son,
who IS 20 be our heir. ard who is com
mitted 10 our care by God for the per
petuatiOn Of our great Office in the state.
According to our MANIFESTO. issued
July .. 1883. we appointed our dear
brother, Grand Duke Michael AIexan-
drovitch, IS heir apparent until a son
should be born 20 US. From the present
day this title devolves upon our son.
Alexis. with the calling and title TO heir
apparent and all rights attached thereto.
Given at PeterhOr. the.thirtieth day Of
July, in the year OF our Lord, 1904,
and the tenth year OF our reign.
Signed with our own hand.
NICHOLAS"