New-York tribune., 1904-08-25
RUSSIAN HEIR BAPTIZED.
Royal Sponsors at Church at Peter
hOf-Emperor's Grants

St petersburg Aug. PA wave OF rejoicing
swept over Russia with the rising OF the SIM an
the christening day OF the heir 70 the Pussian
throne. Notwithstanding the ouinous situation
the front, the population Of the capital turned
fgiadly from more serious considerations to the
say Of celebration at Peterhof where the tiny
-nccessor 10 the Car received at the hands of
nc Church the name or Alexis Nicholaieyireh
some OF the festivities esual on such occasions
for instance, the state cinner-were omitted q
simple breakfast berg substituted. because Of
tte
The procession, headed by the Master Of the
imperial Household who was surrounded by a
rerinue OF officials. moved from the palace
through the royal park. The centre Of interest
Il course, the golden state carriage drawn
,7v eight white horses. with outriders and walk
qng grooms in which sat the Princess GaIatzin
Mistress Of the Empress's Household. with the
t--uerial heir. At the door Of the coach on one
see rode the Grand Equerry Of the Court Lieu
tenant General de Griinwald and on the other
side the Commander of the Household Troops
T Lieutenant General Hesse. Following the coach
came an armed escort Of the Blue Cossacks OF
Re Don, OF which the baby heir is now ataman
The procession passed through the palace
1,ounds to the church. The waiting rooms
were filed with ladies Of the court officers In
GORGEOUS uniforms and many persons in quaint
national costumes, some of them antedatine the
founding OF the capital on the banks of the
Neva.
The Emperor. with the Empress Dowager on
ms arm. led the procession to the church, fol-
lowed by the other members OF the imperial
family. the grand dukes and grand duchesses
in the order Of their rank. the baby bringing up
The rear. His majesty met at the door Of
the church by the Metropolitan Of St Peters
burg with raised cross. Here the Emperor re-
I'll. ,,e4 T-+r,
him no place in the ceremony, in which the baby
is presented by his spiritual parents TO the
Heavenly Father.
Within the chapel were assembled NJ Pobie-
dorostseff Procurator General Of the Holy
synod and the members Of the Holy Synod the
diplomatic corps with whom was Ambassador
Mccormick and the imperial guests from every
court in Europe
THE SCENE AT THE FONT.
The christening party gathered at the font
The ba by was carried by Princess Galatzin. and
the cushion on which it was borne was supported
by General ReIchter and Prince Dolgorouki
aides-de-camp TO the Emperor The sponsors
represented an Emperor and Empress. two
kings one princess and four grand duchesses.
The baby was so shrouced in fTny lace and a
purple silk overmantle that it was almost impos-
sbie 10 distinguish the form that lay still the
hands. breast and forehead with holy oil When
the moment came to complete the immersion in
the warm water Of the font the royal infant
showed its humanity by a lusty yell. which
echoed through the chapel and was greeted by q
Tnurrnur Of amusement and approval a good
auEury.
The TIE Deum. chanted by a hidden choir. was
the signal TO the bells overhead, while from the
imperial yacht. of the shore of the gulf. thun-
dered q salute of 301 guns. The signal was
taken UP at Cronstadt and ST. Petersburg, and
Noscow's five hundred bells chlmed while the
guns Of the Kreuin thundered.
As the message sped from the fort TO the town
The Emperor entered the chapel ana mass was
celebrated. During the singing Of the Psalm
the Emperor conferred on the heir the cross Of
the Order Of St. Andrew. Congratulations were
pressed the father through the crowded cor
Tidors where the baby passed. now the head Of
the roysl party, next in rank the Emperor
himself
Breakfast at the palace completed the cere-
r1ony. Heavy rain. which had been gathering
fell The guests made their way back to the
capital
n making the rounds Of the diplomatic corps
the Emperor displayed especial cordiality tow
ard Ambassador Mccormick.
FESTIVITIES AT NIGHT
The weather cleared late in the afternoon and
tonight both the grounds Of the Peterhof Palace
and the city of St Petersburg were illuminated.
There display Of fireworks in both places,
hands played in the parks and a free per
formance was given at the Imperial Theatre.
The Empress left her bed yesterday for the
first time since the birth Of her Both she
and the infant are in excellent health. The heir
weighs about ten and one-half pounds.
The Emperor's manifesto "a summary Of which
vas published in yesterdays Tribune) contains
the following provisions for the pardon Of Of
tenders:
Persons arrested for offences punishable by
fines Imprisonment or confinement in fortress
without loss Of civil rights. and who were stiil
awaiting sentence At the time OF the birth Of the
heir 10 the throne are pardoned.
Political prisoners who have distinguished
themselves by good conduct may, on the inter
position Of the Minister Of Justice. obtain the
restitution Of theE- civil rights at the expira-
ton Of their sentences.
Persons guilty Of political offences committed
within the last fifteen years who have remained
Unidentified will no longer be subject TO prose
cution, while political offenders who are now
fugitiyes abroad may apply 10 the Minister of
the Interior for permission TO return to Russia
Al imperial letter was also published to-day,
making a number OF promotions and comforting
decorations, including the bestowal NJ. de
Witte President OF the Council Of Minister'S the
Order Of the White Eagle; on the Foreign Min
lister Count LamsdOrT. the St. Alexander
Nevsky Order, in brilliants and on the Minister
ot Justice, NJ. MuraviefT. and NJ. YermoloH, the
Minister of Agriculture, the St. Alexander
Sevsky Order Prince KhilkOff. the Minister OF
Railroads, is appointed \ Secretary Of State.
An imperial order OF the day directs that the