The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-13
BIG DEMONSTRATION III
HONOR OF KUROPATKIN
Russia's Greatest General Starts
for the Front Amid Cheers
OF Multitude.
SCENES AT THE STATION

ST. PETERSBURG, March l2-General
Kuropatkin. accompanied by his entire
stan. left here az 6 O'Clock this evening In a
special train FOR the far East. where he will
take command Of the M%anchurian army.
The departure Of the general was marked
b. demonstration Of patriotism and per-
sonal regard. Thousands Of persons who
lined the Nevsky prospect and the ap-
proaches to the Nicholas Railroad station
Wed with the highest personages in the en-
pire. including the principal military Off
GERS. members of the imperial council. for
eign Tallitary attaches, members of the
French embassy and persons prominent in
society. who had assembled inside the sta
ton. in giving vent TO expressions OF con-
hdence In the new commander who is to
lead the Emperor's army 10 victory.
Just before the general arrived at the
station Grand Duke Nicholas Nicolaievitch.
Grand Duke Peter Nicolaievitch and the
Duke Of Mechlinburg-Streli drove up and
alighted.
Modestly and without the accompaniment
of music or escort the general drove TO the
station in an open carriage. lie was dressed
in the fatigue uniform OF his rank. but the
short. unimposing figure OF Russia's great
general was instantly recognized by the
populace and his passage down the broad
boulevard was followed by a storm OF
cheers. which grew louder as the crowd
grew denser near the station. Here the en-
thusiasm broke out into mighty shouts and
in spite Of the cold the air was filed with
hats.
The imperial waiting rooms inside the
station were crowded with celebrities. and
the staircase leading from the courtyard
was lined with a serTied mass OF uniforms;
there were Cossack officers. bestarred gem
erals and distinguished naval men.
General kurOpatkin reached the head OF
the stairs, General Eggresstoff, white
haired and trembling with emotion, began
10 speak. Inside and out there was an in
slant hush. IT have come TO bid you god
speed" said General Eggresstoff. w all
blessing we shall greet your victorious re-
turn Take this small image OF Alexis,
your patron saint. and wear il around
your neck and may the Almighty hold you
in His keeping"
General Kuropatkin kneIt reverently and
accepted the talisman. His few, heart
felt words OF thanks were uttered in so
low a tone that they were barely heard ten
feet away Thunderous cheers burst forth
when the two warriors embraced.
General kuropatkin then stepped for
ward. He was self-pOSsessed amid the sur
rounding excitement and walked unaf-
fectedly, greeting all present, embracing
and kissing old comrades and shaking
hands with officers. He did not forget the
naval ard military attaches and had a
hllQ NOfQ lot every mtIlDtI OI ne 5IOUB
representing almost all the great armies
and navies of the world.
Lieutenant Commander Roy Compbell
Smith, naval attache TO the American err
bassy. wore the simple uniform of the
United States.
The Korean minister 10 Russia, who was
present. was just rs enthusiastic as any
Russian and seemed to regard General
kuropatkin as the savior OF his country.
He pushed and struggled to get near
enough to shake the generals hands and
wish him every success.
Several women could not refrain from
kissing the hero of the hour. One presented
him with a large bouquet of roses. The
general seemed not TO know what to do
with the flowers. so he handed them over
10 an army aid.
AS the bell rang for the departure of the
train General kuropatkin stepped onto the
platform where the crush was worse. But
the crowd parted. When he reached the
car step every head was barred. The general
Old not enter the luxurious car over which
the inscription Eastern Chinese Railway"
indicated a journey CT 1000 miles. He re-
NAMED at the door and waved his last
farewell. AS the train gathered Roadway
every voice I'm the vast multitude broke out
into a roar of cheers and blessings.
Behind General Kuropatkin stood his sons
in cadet uniform, and through the door
one caught a glimpse OF the salon filled
with flowers. Amid the flowers stood the
generals wife. who, with his sons, will
accompany him as far rs Moscow.
Earlier in the day a deputation of the
Handicraft Guilds presented General Kuro-
patkin with a gold and diamond mounted
sword.