The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-10
RELIGIOUS SERVICE.
The Gar Consigns His Cause to the
Almighty's Keeping.

st. Petersburg, Feb. 10.-There was
an unprecedented scene at the re-
Hgious service held in the winter pal
ace at O'Clock At the command of
the car a great concourSe of ministers.
court officials. high state function
aries, ladies of rank and military men
assembled in St. George hall. all the
men arrayed in full uniform. After
some delay. which became almost OPP
pressive because of the feeling of
solemnity plainly apparent, the doors
of the imperial apartment were opened
and the car entered. wearing the uni
form OF the First guard regiment of
Russia with the dowager czarina on
his arm The dowageF wore costume
of pearl grey and no jewels. The
young czarina wearing her favorite
white and silver. followed and escorted
by the Grand Duke Michael. the heir
lily followed in order Of precedence
Approaching a group of naval anS
military officers, his majesty turned
graveIy and greeted them with the
customary Russian phrase:
Z wish YOU good health. gentle
men,
The officers responded with a loud
acclaim, shouting vigorous hurrahs-
The scene became one of wild enthu-
Sfasm. amid which the imperial process
sion moved forward. entered the chapel
and advanced to the altar and stood
with bowed heads while the choir and
sorry service of the Greek church An
intensely religious spirit pervaded the
entire assembiage, which crowded the
little palace chapel to it's utmost ca
pacfty. During the recital of the lit
any many knelt and even bowed their
heads to the chapel floor
The court chaplain. attended by the
deacon, reverentIy approached the car
and sprinkled him with holy water from
the chalice and presented a crucihx
which the car kissed fervently. At the
conclusion of the service the imperial
party slowly retired. As they re-enter-
ed the palace another scene of enthus-
iasm greeted them; the car made no
address. Darkness had fallen before the
service was finished.
Serious differences have arisen in high
quarters over the command Of the Rus
sian land force in the far east One
faction favors placing both land and
sea forces under Viceroy Alexief and
the generals, and other high officers of
the army believe prestige of General
kurOpatkin, the war minister, is essen
tial to achieving success with the land
forces, and they therefore urge a di-
vision OF authority In any event it is
understood Viceroy A1exieff, as the
cars representative in the far east, will
have general direction Of the operati
As the passage of Lake Baikal by
train across the ice appears to be too
dangerous. the Russian reinforcements
will cross the ice on foot and the war
material win be transported over tenn
porary line.
A dispatch to the Novoe vremya from
Port Arthur says:
In consequence of Korea's neutrality
it is assumed here that Japan will be
obliged to withdraw her infantry and
artillery from Seoul
Much uneasiness is reported at Seoul
owing TO the arrival there of Japanese
soldiers who intend to build barracks
THE Korean noblemen who have
been residing in Japan have received
permission to return home"
4 rigid censorship is exercised on all
kilograms from Port Arthur and the
public IS still completely in the dark as
to the result of the fighting there The
report given out by the admiralty of
the sinking of eleven Japanese war
ships in the far east travelled over Rus
STA and Europe and St Petersburg was
besieged by kilograms asking for con-
hrruation- Later in the day when
doubt was cast on the accuracy of this
report public anxiety became more
acute. Inquiries for an official state
ment were met with the response that
4 in accord with the circular issued last
/ Sunday all official reports would first
appear in the Official Messenger.
The statement published in London
that NJ Kurino. the retiring Japanese
minister presented the note from his
government on February is not true.
/ This note was received here on the
Ievening of February but it was not
presented until February 6.