Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-12
Have Been Praying for Heir.

Have Been Praying for Heir.
The people throughout Russia, notably
the clergy, have been praying for an heir
to the throne, and the famous Greek priest.
Father John of Cronstadt, has recently
been visiting the Alexandra villa al inter-
walls to join in the prayers for an heir to
the throne of Russia.
Incidentally, Father John. who is wor.
SHIPPED by the people, and who has great
influence over the emperor, is said to have
stated to his majesty before his first daugh-
ter was born that the emperor would have
seven daughters before he would have a
son, and that the eighth child of the en-
press would be son. This prophecy is
firmly believed by the Russian people
The birth so greatly wished for that of
an heir to the Russian throne occurred not
III the great palace at Peterhof but in the
Alexandra villa, one of a group of four small
palaces in secluded corner of the magnifi-
cent Peterhof park. In enc of these build
ings the empress had been living for weeks
The other three are occupied by members
OF the imperial family gathered there In
expectation or today's event, including the
empress mother. his majestys two sisters
the Grand Duchesses Xenia and Olga his
brother Grand Duke Michael and other
relatives
Attractive Birthplace.
Inc Alexandra villa is much more pri-
vate spot than the grand palace. The
warm brown-tinted buildings, in the CEN
ter of which rises a tall, square watch
tower. are set in thick forest OF oaks.
birches and lindens, hiding them from
view on every side except toward the Cur
OF Finland. whose waters almost lap the
foundation OF the nearest shoreward build
ing.
From this section of the park the public
has been excluded for days past, while
a short mile down the coast children romp-
NJ nd oh tod
dows of the big Peterhof palace, and
crowds of visitors gathered each after
noon to watch the marvellous fountains
second only in ali Europe to those of YER
sailles.
The birth of the heir to the throne was
attended with all the ceremonial ordained
by imperial tradition. In accordance with
the Russian law, there were present, be-
sides the emperor. Baron Frederick, the
master of the ceremonies. and Prince Dol
gorouky. the grand marshal OF the court.
DIR. Rott, the emperors family physician,
was the accoucheur. and DIR. Hiruch was
the surgeon in attendance.
DR.. Rott personally announced the birth
of the heir to the awaiting imperial fam
lily. A formal announcement will be pub
lshed In the Official Messenger An i'm
perial salute of 101 guns was subsequently
fired, first from Peterhof, and II was then
repeated from all the ports around st.
Petersburg.
place in a fortnight 1t will be a ceremony
of the most elaborate sort. In accordance
| with Russian imperial custom, 1t viii be
performed in the imperial chapel OF the
Peterhof palace, credited with being the
most magnificent chapel in Russia. The
child will be christened Alexis.
ST. Petersburg Electrified.
The announcement from Peterhof was
Immediately followed by q salute of 1O1
guns from the imperial yacht lying at an
Choir off the palace, but it was 2:i5 pm
when the guns of st. Peter and ST. Paul
| fortress, opposite the winter palace, here,
conveyed the glad tdings to the people of
I the Russian capital.
The effect was electrical. With The boom
of the first gun the people in the streets,
who had been momentarily expecting the
event for twenty-four hours, stopped to
listen and count the guns. Only thirty-one
are fired for a girl
When the thirty-second doomed and the
people were aware that at last an heir to
the throne was born there were scenes OF
rejoicing everywhere. and before the salute
was finished the whole city had blossomed
out with flags and bunting, and the ship
ping in the harbor was dressed. Then the
bells of the churches began to ring wildly.
Remote Corners Of Empire Notified.
In the meantime the announcement had
been telegraphed to the most remote cor
ners of the empire. In all the towns and
cities the glad tidings were spread with
the clangor of bells and the booming of
cannon. Thanksgiving services followed in
all the churches.
! At the chapel of Alexandra Villa the em-