The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-08-13
HEIR OF ROMANOFFS
A SON AND HEIR TO RUSSIAN
 THRONE IS BORN.
Imperial snIute of 1OI Guns AnnOunccs to st. Petersburg the Answer to tue Prayers of the
 PeOu1e.

St. Petersburg, Aug. 12.-A son and
 heir to the Russian throne has been born. The Empress and child are do ing well. The announcement occurred
 at o'clock this afternoon.
 The Emperor and Empress of Rus sia formerly Princess Olix of Hesse) who were married November IA, 1894, had, previous to the birth of the child
 born today four daughters, Olga, born November 8. 1895; Tatiana, born May 29, 1897; Marie, born June IA. 1899. and Anastasia, born June 5. 1901. The Emperor and Empress have for some time past in anticipation of the event of today been residing at Alexandria villa at Peterhof, the summer place of their majesties. The villa, so-called, is situated in one of the most beauti- full parks of Russia, about one and one . half hours ride from St. Petersburg on the Baltic Railroad, which runs
 northeast from St. Petersburg to the shores of the Baltic extending as far as Rigau.
 In the park are several lakes, at end of one of which Is the Golden stair case" marble steps covered with real gold. The place is not large build. ing when compared with the winter pal. ace at St. Petersburg In the park are several other palaces occupied by different Grand Dukes and their suites. and in the neighborhood are many country residences of the nobility and gentry
 The Queen of Greece, sister of the Dowager Empress, great favorite with the Russians and the other mem- bers of the imperial family, assem- bled at Peterhof early last month and have been there ever since Daily large crowds of people have also gath. cred at Peterhof. and it seemed as if the whole nation was drawing near to the sovereign.
 The birth of the heir to the throne was attended with all the ceremonial ordained by impefial tradition. In ac. cordance with the Russian law. therc were present besides the Emperor. Bar. on Fredericks the master of ceremn. nles, and Prince Dolgorouky, the grand marshal of the court. Dr. Bott. tIe Emperors family physician. was the accoucher and Dr. Hiuruch was inc surgeon In attendance. Dr. Bott an nounced the birth of the heir to thA awaiting imperial family A forma; announcement will be published in the officiai Messenger. An imperial salute or lOl guns was subsequently, freJ first from Peterhof and then 1t was repeated by all the forts around st. Petersburg.
 The christening of tie heir will take place In a fortnight. It will be a cer- emony of the most elaborate sort. In accordance with Russian imperial GUS tom. It will be performed in the i'm perial chapel of the Peterhof palace. credited with being the most magnifi- cnt chapel in Russia. Tho child will be named Alexis
 The birth so greatly wished for, that or m heir to the Russian crown. oc- cured not in the great palace at Peterhof but in the Alexandria Villa, one of group Of four small palaces in secluded corner of the magnificent Peterhof park. In )ne of these build ings the empress had been living for weeks. The other three are occupied by members of thc imperial family gathered there in expectation of to- days event. including the empress mother. his majesty's two sisters, the Grand Duchess Xenir and Olga, his brother, Grand Duke Michael. and other relatives. The Alexandria villa is much more private spot than the grand palace. The warm brown tinted buildings, in the center of which