New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-22

IN country Of Europe the masses more
superstitious than in Russia. and throughout the
length and breadth OF the Muscovite Empire. the
firm conviction prevails that until the Gar goes TO
the front there will be change for the better in
the tide OF the fortunes of war. which until now
IL must be confessed, has been running strongly
against Russia. This belief which is 10y means
restricted to the lower Glasses, but which extends
To the arstocracy and 10 the official element. is
based on the prophecy ascribed 10 Russia's most
popular patron saint 81. Seraphim that the year
after the translation of remains terrible war
win break out which will cause much harm To Rus
STA. The Gar will go to the front. and shall go
with him, and we shall tear the apron Of the Eng
lish'
Now the translation Of the remains Of St
Seraphim took place last year with much pomD
and ceremony at the remote monastery OF Sarof
situated in the midst OF desert, which pilgrims
are obliged 10 before reaching the cnd Of
their journey. The Emperor. who was accompanied
by the Empress and by all the grand dukes of the
House Of Romanof took active part in the
ceremonies connected with the transfer OF the body
the new and magnificent church In which 1t is
now eushrined. the body being carried by Nicholas
his uucles hts brother and his cousins in person
There was a special reason for this. since it is
serted in Russia that the saint TO whose body are
ascrbed many miracles other than the
great -granduncle OF the present Car. Emperor
Alexander !. whose death far from St Petersburg
has always been shrouded in mystery. whose body
lay in state. and who is said after the
official proclamation of his demise have with
drawn TO the monastery of Sarof and TO have spent
the remainder Of his days monk TO atone for
his responsibility in the assassination of his de
mented father. Emperor Paul |. His second brother
Constantine, barred from the throne the
account. while the crown passed by
him TO his younger brother Nicholas l. who had
had no share whatsoever in Pauls death.
The Car of this superstition with regard
to his going to the front. is resolved take his
departure for the seat OF ever the
Empress becomes a mother once more. next month.
and ii may be stated that the Saints reference to
the tearing away Of the apron OF the English IS
not regarded implying with England. but
with ally of England. that is to say with Japan.
When Nicholas starts for the Far East he Will.
it is Said. take along with him the sarcophagGs
containing the remains of st. Seraphim and viii
all events be escorted by his particular
regiment. the famous Preobrajenski Guasds. the
dark green uniform Of which with its red cuffs. led
collar and facings. he invariably 1t out
ranks every other regiment in the Russian service.
IS without exception the crack corps of the army
and its colonel IS the Emperor. who likewise COM
nlanded ii prior 10 his accession to the throne.
II was the first regiment In the Russian army 10
be organized in European fashion by Peter the
Great when still sixteen-year-old boy. with the
help Of his French tutor, Lcfort. II was with the
assistance of this regiment thus formed that Peter
secured possession of the Russian throne, which
had been usurped by his elder sister. the Grand
Duchess Sophia the pretext that their elder
brother Ivan was imbecile and incapable of
reigning Its barracks close to the Winter Pal
ace and every one OF its men are picked soldiers
| may add as an illustration OF the Cars devo-
ton to his fathers memory that he still wears the
laters cipher on his epauets and shoulder straps,
being the only soldier or officer or the army VINO
uses the cipher of the late Instead OF the present