New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-26
TWO RUSSIAN CAPITALS.
Characteristics of St. Petersburg
and Mosco7c-Ihe Nee and old.



While Russian suffering defeat In
Asia comparable only to the breakdown Of the
French military system in the Franco Pruosian
War St Petersburg and Moscow, the new and
the old ca pitfalls Of Russia, are showing no such
fear OF invasion marked the public feeling
in Paris during the "annee terrible" The thou
sands Of miles Of Siberia between Manchuria
and Moscow seem to offer complete immunity,
while that ancient city. which welcomed the
Grand Army Of Napoleon with a confaSration
that drove the French out into a Russian win
ter. stands ready. If necessary. to give a similar
welcome to the japanese.
But to the japanese these mighty Russian
cities whose huge buildings form such con-
trast to the fragile structures of Toxic or Yoko-
hama might suggest a similar thought TO that
EXPRESSED by the famous Prussian general who,
on his first glimpse Of London. is said to have
murmured:
My God. what city to Sack
St Petersburg is the expression OF all that Is
modern and progressive In Russia. Itself mon
ument 10 the genius Of Peter the Great. It's
founder, the twentieth century capital OF The
great Russian Empire sMacks OF the modern In
every phase Of its life Little Old New-York"
had enjoyed a century OF existence and TWO Tor
eign Nominations before Peter the Great driving
of the Neva laid the foundations Of the great
city whose palaces art museums. universities
and splendid avenues rival those OF Paris and
surpass those Of nearly every other capital.
Other capitals have grown with years; Peter
took no chances with posterity. TO oulid MS
city he Communicated every mason ana archl-
tect in lis empire. while the common Worknen
were collected from the ends Of Russia to labor
in the mud fats. where thousands lost their
lives mingling their blood with the foundations
NJ the CITY. When his city built he sent
his Cossacks forth again and rounded Up the
inhabitants of the rural districts the country
round and St Petersburg began us EXISTENCE
as it has continued 1t, at the point OF the bay
onet.
In tho canitaI city of the Car of All the Rus
.,as the most notable structure IS the Winter
Palace. his official residence Seen through the
entrance arch, the Winter Palace. fronting the
Palace Square. strongly suggests the IuieiieS
In Paris while the huge Alexander Column before
It's windows strikingly recalls the Napoleon COL
umn In the Place Vendone- This palace OF the
Czars facing outward upon the Neva, as the
Houses Of Parliament. in London 'front.' the
Thames. dates from 1741 and contains IN us
magnificent halls trophies OF all famous Russian
victories This palace was the scene or the at
tempted assassination of Alexander H. on Feb
A..
was shattered by dynamite explosion only
few wears later another attempt succeeded, and
>be Gar WAS murdered within sight OF the
,alace.
The Winter Palace is only one OF the countless
palaces Of the capital Every Russian noble
mas his palace in this city. Notable among
these Is the Annitchkoff Palace. the residence
of the heir apparent. before which stands
statue of the great Russian Empress. Catherine
IL OF the score more of art museums. many
containing notable art treasures. is the Hermit
age Art Gallery, with itG famous peristyle. For
several miles the magnificent granite quays
fronting the Neva are lined with huge govern
rnent buildings. The Offices, from which the
Russian military authorities are directing the
present war. are here in the splendid Admiralty
Building.
ST Petersburg. like Paris. is the city Of
aplepdil aXepuea What PenuSYlY 2pi2-2Ye Is