New-York tribune., 1905-01-20
CAR IN A RAIN OF SHOT
DIPLOMATS IN DANGER.
Grape Cartridge Fired in Salute
Before the Winter Palace.

St Petersburg. Jan. 19.-The life of the Czar,
together with his family and suite and hun
dreds of high diplomats and high officials was
endangered this afternoon by a hail of grape
shot which fell in the imperial suite at the end
of the ceremony of the blessing of the waters
Of the Neva. The shot, II is declared by the
police, was evidently fired from a battery which
answered q salute fired from the fortress of
St. Peter and ST. Paul. one policeman only
was Injured. but the shot passed near the person
Of the Emperor, one cutting down standard
few feet from him.
The missiles all went high. entering the windows
of the splendid OF salons along the water
front, from which the Empress, the ladies of the
court and the members of the diplomatic corps
including Ambassador Mccormick Secretary
Eddy and Second Secretary Bliss and all the
high dign'taries Of rbr state. army and navy,
Werr TIA. Sipg - -HGct acle Scios
fortunately. ths bullets passed over the heads
of all present. The first impression OF those who
heard the crash was that it was due TO falling
crystals from The glass chandeliers. but every
had been more o. less nervous because of
the strike situation. and when the truth was
realized the windows were hastily deserted and
the grea test excitement reigned
The official account Of the shooting affair
is as follows:
During the ceremony of the blessing of the
waters of the Neva, to-day, in the presence of
the Emperor. as the usual salute being
fired an accident happened. charge Of grape
instead Of saluting charge was fired from
gun belonging TO one of the batteries near the
Bourse. Some bullets struck the facade Of the
Winter Palace, near the Quay gardens. breaking
four windows. A policeman belonging to the
St Petersburg force was wounded According
TO the Information TO hand at present, no other
accident occurred. Inquiry continues
The Associated Press obtained the following
statement from the police at . o'clock this af-
ternoOn:
With the second or third shot from the Bourse
battery on Basil Island a very large number of
grapeshot struck the chapel. Two entered the
interior, where the Emperor was standing The
bullets had very low velocity The two which
entered the chapel fell harmlessly to the floor
It has not yet been established whether 1t was
an accident or was due TO premeditation.
It is now stated in official circles that the
grapeshot were fired from one Of the guns of the
17th Battery OF the 1st Horse Artillery Of the
Guard. the most aristoeTatic corps in the Rus
sian army. 1t seems that at gun practice on
Tuesday a loaded shell was inadvertently left
in the gun.
1t appears that doubt Of plot arises from the
fact that grape was distributed TO the battery
IN anticipation OF possible trouble with rioters
If this was a deliberate plot" said an Off
GER especially charged with safeguarding the
We have been prepared for an anarchist attempt
IN any form we could conceive, but an attempt
10 kill the Emperor with one Of his own guns
under the guise of firing salute was never
dreamed Of II is a new departure against
repetition of which We must take precautions
If gunners of the Emperor's picked guard can
be enlisted In such a dastardIy conspiracy seri-
GUS possibilities are presented"
The crowds of people who formed black lines
OF the Bourse and every other point of vantage
IN the white arctic landscape did not betray
the slightest excitement. Neither did the i'm
perisl party in the chapel below. Although the
actual ceremony ended. the Emperor
NAMED and accompanied the Metropolitan
and clergy as they circled the pavilion around
the chapel, to bless the gorgeous standards Of
the famous Guard regiments assembled there.
Then the procession moved back to the palace
and the original programme was carried out
The Emperor displayed splendid nerve. He
did not show a trace of excitement. His ma
jesty received the diplomats In his usual cordial
gentle manner, and reviewed the Guard regi-
ments the square.
one of the bullets which entered the Nicholas
Hall. where the diplomats were struck down
a golden plate from the wall. Many Of the
diplomats however did not suspect the cause
Of the fall of the plate until afterward al
thc.--h ls~y noticed that something unusual
had happened, especially at the reception, which
did not take place in Nicholas Hail. where II
usually occurs but hastily adjourned TO the
MarshaTs Hall. on the other side of the palace.
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