The Gainesville star. [volume] (Gainesville, Fla.) 1903-19??, 1904-05-06
CAR PRAISES VETS
Survivors of Sunken Russian
BattIeShipS Banquetted,
Joy IN ST. PETERSBURG
Host Of BattIe-Searred Heroes are Re.
eeived at Palace and Given Hon.
age by Thousands-Pralse
5ervIce 10 Held.

A st Petersburg spocial says: Such
an outburst Of popular enthusiasm
as was witnessed Friday upon the ar.
rival OF the survivors of the Varlag
and Korietz has not been experienced
In many years. Notwithstanding the
rainy, raw weather, more than hun.
dred thousand persons crowded the
Nevsky, from The railroad depot to
the palace square Roofs and win
dows were crowded with people, way.
Ing naval flags The whole route was
lined by soldiers, sailors and cadets
OF the military school, Every regi.
ment was represented, as II the an.
peror wished all his fighting men to
see how the brave are honored.
Grand Duke Alexis as high admir-.
al, received the heroes and deaten.
ing storm Of cheers burst forth as
the weather-beaten seamen appeared
In sight. The crews OF the Variag
and Korietz were quickly mustered
on the platform, each man wearing
the St George cross.
The Grand Duke Alexis, attended
by a brilliant staff Of admirals, ap.
preached the survivors Of the Variag
saulted and presented the grand duke
with formal report OF the battle
and the number and state OF health
Of the survivors. The grand duke,
followed by Captain Doudeneif and
the admirals, then passed along the
ranks and saluted the sailors, Russian
fashion, saying:
well done, my children" to which
the sailors replied, as one man. 'Wo
arc glad to do our beet, imperial high.
ness"
The formalitles over the high ad.
miral moved with emotion, embraced
Captain Roudeneff and the other Of.
hcers.
AS the column OF heroes approach.
ed the portals Of the winter palace,
The emperor and empress came out
ed them, and then retired to receive
the visitors In the magnificent Nicho-
lass hall, which had been converted
into a church.
After tho services all tho sailors
remained and weiG banqueted as the
emperors guests, going later to enter.
tainmonts at the city hall and at the
peoples palace
The blueIackets, who we're seated
at the imperial table and served by
the imperial servants. were overcome
by the splendor OF the feast II was
a day OF wonders and surprises, the
little father" himself coming to Talk
to them The emperor wearing ahe
full uniform of an admiral approach.
cd the sailors, escortlng both the cm-
press and followed by the other Nom.
bers Of the imperial family He said,
In a voice ringing with emotion:
81 am happy brothers. to see you
all here safely returned Many Of
you have inscribed with your blood
a record Of heroic deed in our annals,
You have made the namo OF the Var.
ldb anu tNOllFlA 1 hlH sure
you will remain worthy to the last
All Russia and | have been moved
by the recital OF your exploits at Che
mulpo.
thank you. brothers, for vinllcat-
Ing the honor OF the flag OF st. An
drew and the renown Of holy Russia.
81 drink to the further victories o.:
our glorious feet and TO your health,
my brothers"
The emperor took a goblet OF vino
and drained It and all present follow.
cd his example with a thunderous
shout OF "Hurrah."
The emperor then went round the
table exchanging greetings with his
lowiy guests,
Before leaving his majesty again
said:
"Once more, thanks TO you. brave
fellows, for your noble fight. regard
you as my kinsman. May God keep
you"