The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-29
Crews of Variag and KOrietz
Arrive at st. Petersburg.
SHOWER OF FLOWERS.
Greeted by a Crowd of 100000
Admiring Citizens.
Grand Duke Alexis Was Master
of Ceremonies.

m.-Such an outburst of popular en-
thusiasm as was witnessed today upon
the arrival here of the survivors of the
Variag and Koreitz has not been ex-
perienced in many years.
Undeterred by the raw, rainy
weather as many as a hundred thous-
and persons crowded the three mile
the palace square.
The roofs and windows were black
with people waving naval flags. The
whole route was lined by soldiers,
sailors and cadets of the military
school. Every regiment was repre-
sented as the emperor wished all his
fighting men to see how the brave are
honored. Grand Duke Alexis, as high
admiral, received the heroes. The
crowd, however, had the first word. A
deafening storm of cheers burst out
as The weather-beaten seamen appear
ed in sight. The crews of the Variag
and Korietz were quickly mustered on
the platform. each man wearing the
St Georges cross.
Grand Duke Alexis, attended by a
| brilliant staff of admirals, approached
the survivors of the Chemulpo en-
] gagement and Captain Roudeneff, the
commander of the Variag, saluted and
presented the grand duke with a for
NAL report of the battle and the num-
Der and state of health of the sur
vivors. The grand duke, followed by
Captain Roudeneff and the admirals,
then passed along the ranks and sa
luted the sailors, Russian fashion,
saying:
''WeH done my children"
! To which the sailors replied, as one
man: I'VE are glad to do our best,
imperial highness.''
The formaIities over, the high ad-
miral moved with emotion, embraced
49, 4~,T- .-.EE L -
ficers.
1t was now the turn of the deputa-
tiOnS from the nobility and munich
pality to present address of welcome
and the traditional bread and salt.
Then began the triumphal march
down the Nevsl1y of the officers and
men of the Variag and Koreitz, mar
shaled in two columns and preceded
by two bands of music. The people
went fairly wild over the heroes and
showered them with flowers amid a
mighty roar of cheering from roofs,
windows, balconies and lamp posts
and the surging masses below.
Near the palace square stood the
cadets of the military school. Those
of the younger class. the little fellows,
aged T. forgot to salute and instead
tore off their caps and cheered Justify.
AS the column approached the por-
tails of the winter palace the emperor
and empress came out on a balcony,
greeted them and then retired to re-
ceive the visitors in the magnificent
Nicholas hall, which had been con-
verted into a church.
There a special te deum was sung.
The service was attended by a brilliant
assenblage, rendering all the more
conspicuous the tarnished uniforms of
the noble jaclies who fought at
Chemulpo.
After the service all the sailors re
mained and were banquetted as the
| emperOr's guests, going later to enter
tainments at the City Hall and the
Peoples palace.
Russia's Voice Still for War.
st. Petersburg, April 29.-In the most
categorical terms Russia has officially
notified the world that she will not
accept mediation to terminate the war
: with Japan. The official notification,
which accords with the authoritative
announcement made by the Associated
Press April Is, is contained in cir
cular issued by the ministry of for
eign affairs to the Russian representa-
tive with foreign powers and gazetted
2 in the Official Messenger today The
circular denies the report that formal
proposals have been made to the i'm
periaI government by any foreign
power to use its good OFFICES to restore
peace, a denial which does not refer
to the personal intimation addressed
directly to the emperor by King Ed
ward and King Christian of Denmark
an account of which was given by the
Associated Press. The text of the
circular is as follows:
1.-The foregn press has recently beer
persistently circulating rumors, con-
cerning intentions on the part of some
) of the European governments to un-
: dertake a friendly intervention with e
+ view to a speedy termination of the
! conflict between Russia and Japan
\ kilograms have even been received
announcing that proposals of such g
nature have already been made to the
imperial government. You are en-
powered to deny this statement mos
e categoricalIy. Russia did not wish
e war and everything within the limits
y of possibility was done by her to solve
4 the complications which had arisen IL
= the far east, in a peaceful manner
e but after the treacherOus surprise OF
= the part of the japanese forced
4 Russia to take up arms, obviously nC
: friendly mediation can have any sue
4 cess.
2 Similarly the imperial government
e will not admit the intervention of any
: power whatsoever in the direct nego
tiations which will occur between Rus
sia and Japan after the termination
of hostile operations in order to de
. termine the conditions of peace"
d China Is Worried.
: Pekin, April 29.-It is asserted on tn,
a best authority that the Russians ar.
S about to enforce martial law west O
:, ried and the doWager empress has or
y dered the provincial governors to aban
= don the birthday celebration and to us,
Y the money collected to equip 1900
: troops.
5 Togo Near Port Arthur.
t St. Petersburg, April 29-Viceroy Al
5 exief telegraphs under today's dat
y that japanese ships were sighted sil
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