The San Francisco call., 1904-08-13


BERLIN. Aug. 15---Tne Kleine
Journal says it expects that the birth
of an heir to the Russian throne will
be followed in few days by procla-
nation of constitution, claiming to
have been informed that Emperor
Nicholas vowed he would give a con-
stitution to Russia if the Empress
gave birth to a son.
ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. IS, 4
a. m.-This morning the Empress and
heir to the throne are both making
satisfactory progress.
An imperial manifesto is published
announcing the birth. 1t invites all
Russians TO offer their prayers for
the prosperity of the heir to the
throne.
In receiving the congratulations of
his court yesterday the Emperor in a
brief reply said:
Il am happier at the birth of a son
and heir than at victory of my
troops. for now 1 face the future
calmly and without alarm, knowing
by this sign that the war will be
brought TO a happy conclusion"
ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. ia son
and heir to the Russian throne was
born at 1890 o'clock this afternoon.
The birth so greatly wished for, that
of an heir to the crown, occurred
not in the great palace at Peter
hof, but in the Alexandra Villa, one of
a group Of four small palaces in a Sc
cluded corner Of the magnificent Peter
hof Park. In one Of these buildings
the Empress had been living for
weeks.
The birth of the heir to the throne
was attended by all the ceremony or
dained by imperial tradition. In ac-
cordance with the Russian law there
were present, besides the Emperor,
Baron Fredericks, the master of the
ceremonies, and Prince Dolgorouky,
the grand marshal Of the court. Dr.
Rott, the Emperors family physician,
and DR.. Hiruch were in attendance.
Dr. Rott personally announced the
birth of the heir to the awaiting i'm
perial family. An imperial salute of
101 Guns was fired, first from Peter
hof and then repeated by all the forts
around St Petersburg.
CHRISTENING OF THE HEIR.
The christening of the heir will take
place in a fortnight. 1t Will be a cere-
mony Of the most elaborate sort. In
accordance with Russian imperial Gus
tom ii will be performed in the i'm
perial chapel of the Peterhof Palace,
credited with being the most magnifi-
cent chapel in Russia.
With the boom Of the first gun the
people in the streets stopped to listen
and count the guns. Only thirty-one
are fired for a girl. When the thirty
second hoomed and the people were
aware that at last an heir to the
/ throne was born there were scenes of
! rejoicing everywhere and before the
salute was finished the whole city had
blossomed out with flags and buntings
+ and the shipping in the harbor was
dressed. Then the bells of the churches
began TO ring wildly.
In the meantime the announcement
| had been telegraphed to the most re-
mote corners of the empire. In all the
towns and cities the glad tidings were
spread with the changing of bells and
the booming OF cannon. Thanksgiving
services followed in all the churches.
SAINT GIVEN THE CREDIT.
The hearts of the Russian people are
| likely to be more deeply touched by the
good fortune of the Imperial family
than by a dozen victories or defeats in
the Far East, and the superstitious
| Russian character will read in it ar
augury of better time. st. Seraphim
who was canonized last summer hy
the Emperor at Sarafoff, has now be-
come a favorite patron saint, as the
birth of the heir is attributed chiefly tC
his interposition. The Emperor viii
ssgnalize the event by some gracious
| act like the remission of arrearage OF
taxes and amnesty, and for the next
two weeks, until the christening, there
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