Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-08-01
Funeral Of Late Minister
PIehve at St. Petersburg.
Emperor Nicholas and DoWager
Empress in Attendance.
Fifty Thousand People Stand Quietly
n Procession Passes-Czar Has Not
Vet Decided on M. Piehve's Success
sor-Ssveral Under Consideration.

st. Petersburg, July jim. Won
Plehve, the minister of the interior,
who was assassinated. Thursday morn
ing last, was buried, today, and in
every city and hamlet Of this vast en-
pire, church bells were tolled and mas
ses and prayers said for the repose OF
the soul of the murdered minister. The
services here were according TO the
Orthodox church, and were of an i'm
pressive and imposing character. AT
II o'clock this morning. high mass
was said in the stately chapel adJoln-
Ing the ministry of the interior.
Emperor Nicholas and the DOwager
Empress stood with the broken-hearted
widow and the children of the minister
at the foot of a great mound Of flowers
on which rested the casket. To the
right on GOLDEN broidered cushions be-
fore a mass Of wreaths banked to the
ceiling were ranged the decorations
which had been won by the statesman
during his notable career. To the left
we're the metropolitan of st. Peters,
burg and the officiating bishops and
priests in their gold emblazoned vest
ments. A screen Of flowers concealed
the famous imperial boys choir.
Among those present were other
members of the imperial family. for
eign representatives., including Spencer
Eddy. charge d'affairs Of the American
embassy, ministers Of the Empire,
generals and admirals. mobiles, ana
many other high officials.
The entire assemblage was in full
uniform, and on the arm of each one
present was a badge Of of mourning.
All held lighted tapers throughout the
service and the air was heavy with the
perfume of flowers and incense from
the censOrs.
At the most solemn moment when
all kneIt and many were affected ny
tears, the widow was overcome ana
tainted. The Emperor came to ner
assistance and she was carried out by
gentle hands.
The Emperor was visibly moved and
upon the conclusion of the mass ne
followed the casket, which was taken
I'D on the shoulders of the ministers
and horne down the broad marble
staircase to the street. There the fun
eral procession was formed and the
BODY was placed in a great white open
bearse. drawn by six coal-black horses,
to their tails in sombre trappings Of
woe.
A black-garbed groom stood at each
bridge and in advance went 10 slfnllar-
Nv clad lantern bearers. Behind the
hearse walked the members OF the
minister's family and then came long
and DISTINGUISHED body of mourners, 1t
being the Russian custom to follow the
dead to the grave on foot.
The Emperor himself walked short
distance but as the NOvodevichy mon
astery. where the burial took place.
was over five miles away and also De-
cause OF the condition of the Empress.
His Majesty soon entered his carriage
and returned to the Peterhof palace.
At the end OF the procession came
four white chariots filled with the floral
offerings. The cortege proceeded SLOW
ly through the avenues and streets'
preceded by squad of mounted po-
lice and passed within sight OF the
place where the tragedy occurred. Inc
sidewalks along the route were crowd
ed but lines of police kept the streets
clear to the curbs. AS the body passed
every head was uncovered and thou-
sands crossed themselves.
The monastery stands on plain be-
youd the Narva gates and at these
gates fully $4,000 persons were gathered
After a burial service in the church the
body was inferred In the adjoining Gem
etery where repose the remains OF many
of Russia's greatest men and at point
within stones throw Of the grave OF
NJ Sipiaguine. who was M. Won
Plehve's predecessor and who also fell
by the hand of an assassin, less than
two years ago.
The murderer of NJ. Won Plehve has
been removed from the hospital to the
Wyborgsky prison. The police know the
alias under which he travelled. but say
they are not yet satisfied regarding his
identity and decline to reveal the alias
on the ground that it might defeat the
ends Of justice.
There is no longer any doubt that the
police for some time have known of the
existence OF plot by band Of inter-
national Anarchists in Paris and Wen
ma. The leading conspirator. it is said.
was a man whom the Russian govern
ment tried to extradite from Paris. last
fall.
Some Of these conspirators arrived
d
that all OF them had been taken into
custody.
The far-reaching character of the ma
Chinery of the ministery of the interior
and the urgent necessity for dealing
with many pending matters render it
imperative that the Emperor select a
successor to NJ. Won Plehve Immediate
ly and It is considered certain that he
will do so. this week. Influences hos
tile to NJ. White. president of the coun-
Gil Of ministers, in spite Of his great &C
knowledged great ability and the gener-
al belief that he is the man for the po-
sition, seems to render his appointment
increasingly improbable.
Prince Sviatopolk Mirsky. governor
general of wilma, Grodno and Kovno. is
now prominently mentioned, together
with M. Muraieff. minister of justice.
Lieut.. Gen. Kleigo. governor general of
Kieff. Podalia and Volhynia and Prince
John Obolonsky, governor general of
Finland.
PoRTENDED FATE.