The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-05-12
OF TROOPS
WAS GRAND SIGHT
Gar Nicholas Sees ManeuverS
OF Cavalry
CHEERS GREET SOLDIERS
Visiting Military Men Said a Finer
Body of Troops Could Not
Be Found In
europe.

st. Petersburg, May 11.-There were
scenes of martial spiendor on the Champs
De Mars today when Emperor Nicholas
held his annual review of the detachments
of all troops in the military district at
st. Petersburg, which include every regl-
ment of the imperial army. The foreign
military attaches scrutinized with much
more than ordinary care the defile of
crack regiments of the empire which Is
now battling to maintain It's position in
the far east, and the general verdict was
that no better body of soldiers could be
seen In Europe.
The field on which the review was held
presented a stirring picture. Drawn up on
the vast plain were 10000 of the finest
troops in the empire, arrayed in brilliant
uniforms Stretching back from the front
like waves on a sea were the foot SOL
diers, rank upon rank. Behind them were
great parks Of artillery, while back ;Eto
the radiating streets as far as the eye
could Sec were the huttering pennants
of the splendid cavalry. A tribune had
been erected in which sat the members OF
the diplomatic corps, prominent among
whom was Ambassador Mccormack, ac-
con.panied by Mrs. Mccormack.
Several other invited guests had seats
IN the tribune
On the field Immediately in front of the
tribune, under an arch of Russian colors,
was green tent pavilion over which
streamed the imperial standard. This was
reserved for the empress and members OF
the imperial family
More Lambskin Caps.
Preceded by the generals in lambskin
caps, and following by an imposing en-
tourage, which included the military at
tachees, among whom were Capt Il. l..
Mott and Major Macomb, representing
the United States, the imperial cortege
moved through the summer garden to
the plain The empress and the empress
mother rode in an open state carriage'
with Cossack footmen, and drawn by six
white stations. The emperor was mount
ed on a coal-black charger and wore the
dark green uniform of a colonel of foot
guards with the blue sash of the order
Of St Andrew across his breast, his being
by far the most modest uniform I'M the
imperial procession.
| On the appearance of the emperor, the
standards were lifted, the bands burst
forth. and tens of thousands of throats
roared a welcome
Like a shuttle the cortege passed back
| and forth as the emperor Inspected the
various regiments.
Good day, my children" was his uni
versal greeting.
Good health, your imperial majesty"
was the unfailing response.
When the inspection was completed,
the bands were massed opposite the impe-
rial pavilion There the empress took
her place with her suite and moved some
| distance to the right. Out In front, alone
| save for a bugler and two Cireassians
of the guard In bright crimson, the em-
| peror sat his charger like statue. He
| looked strong and we'll. Then the dehle
of splendid battalions began the bands
playing regimental airs throughout the
review The first to pass were the cadets
of the infantry. cavalry and naval
schools Then came detachments OF all
the famous regiments of foot soldiers, In
cluding the Preobrajensky with the big
copper sugar loaf hats. The sailors of the
guard came next and drew forth cheers
as they swung by. Then followed bri-
gade after brigade of grim looking artil-
lery, but II was the magnificent cavalry
which most impressed the crowd.
Concluded With Cavalry Charge.
The review concluded with a charge of
10000 cavalry at full speed across the
plain. With front half mile wide the
magnificent horsemen in multi-colored
uniforms and with flags and pennants
streaming, shot forward like one man at
the command of Grand Duke Vladimir,
who Is commander-in-chief Of all the
guard regiments.
The very earth seemed to tremble un-
der the thunder of the horses hoofs. On
they came at such a mad pace that 1t
seemed as II they must carry down all
before them Instinctively those in the
boxes drew back. but scarcely five PAGES
beyond the emperor, Grand Duke Nladl-
mir threw up his sword and the line
stopped dead many horses being thrown
upon their launches, but not a man or
a beast went down. A great burst OF ap-
| plause came from the spectators Then
as the custom, commanding officers
moved up to receive the emperors critic
ism, and at the same time the senior
non-commissioned officer of each detach-
ment of troops repaired to the imperial
| pavilion to pay his respects to the em-
| press She rewarded the non-commission-
cd officers by directing the distribution
of three roubles to each and one rouble
to each man participating in the review.
Grand Duke Michael. the heir apparent
to the Russian throne marched with one
Of the footguard regiments in which he
ia comm a nder