Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-01-20
GEAR AND FAMILY IN PERIL.

Nicholas H., Gear of Russia; the
Czarina and other members of the
Romanoff family, together with the
diplomats at the Russian court, includ-
ing Ambassador Mccormick. while at
tending the brilliant ceremony OF the
blessing of the waters Of the Neva, in
front of the Winter Palace, st. Peters
burg, narrowly escaped being struck by
shower of grapeshot fired from gun
in battery ofan aristocratic corps OF the
Emperor's home guards stationed near
the bourse.
Bullets struck the open chapel in
which the Car was standing and broke
windows in the palace. A policeman
was killed, and it is reported an officer
and three marines were wounded.
Mystery surrounds the affair. The
authorities gave out a statement that
the shooting WAS accidental, a charge of
grape instead of saluting charge being
fred from the guns Reports that an al
tempt had been made to kill the Car
caused intense excitement. He ap-
peared less excited than those about
him.
Wednesday night the authorities re-
ceived reports that an attempt would
be made upon the Cars life yesterday.
An officer attending the Car says that
if it was a deliberate plot it was iDgeni.
Gus, as it was never thought an attempt
would be made to kill the Emperor with
one of his own guns under the guise of
firing salute. The men in charge of
the guns were arrested and rigid in
vestieation is being made.
Three Cars have been assassinated.
Alexander H., grandfather OF the pres
ent Gar, was killed by a bomb. The
lie of the reigning Car has been beset
with dangerous conspiracies. Since the
war with Japan began the revolution
airy spirit has been rapidly increasing in
Russia. There were three assossinations
of government officials last year, viz. /;
Bobrikof, the governor of Finland,
June l6; the vice governor, Elizabeth
pol, July Is, and Minister Won Plehye,
July 2S.
Performing the annually recurring
blessing of the waters of the Neva, with
all the accustomed brilliant ceremonial,
Emperor Nicholas, of Russia, yesterday
wore the uniform of the famous Preobra.
iensky regiment. He looked in excel.
lent health, and walked with an elastic
step and smart military bearing. and
greeted each regiment with the saluta-
ton Good morning, my children, ="
to which the soldiers and sailors replied
in stentorian tones "Good health to
Your Majesty" whilst the band played
the national anthem.
In the state procession to the imperial
chapel, an imposing train Of court OFF,
Gals, the Emperor escorted the Dowsger
Empress and Grand Duke Alexis es-
corted the Empress, other members of
the imperial family following in order of
rank, the ladies Of honor wearing pic
turesque national costumes. At clock
the divine service being concluded, the
procession reformed and returned to the
Winter Palace.
The ladies took places at the windows,
while the Emperor, the Grand Dukes
and the gorgeously robed clergy descen-
ded for The opin air ceremonial.
The entire length of the palace was
guarded by soldiers. Beyond these
the populqce we're massed in enormous
numbers on the ice and at every point
affordipg a view of the quays, bridges,
monuments, etc.
In few minutes the picture was filled
in as an imposing procession of priests,
choristers, standard-bearers, members OF
the imperial family and generals slowly
took their places in the pavilion and
platform, all, from the Emperor down
wards, bareheaded.
At the conclusion of the solemn cere-
mony, the Metropolitan having dipped
the cross in the water, the st. Peter and
st. Paul fortress doomed salute. Then
came 6 crash of bullets through the win
dows, but no panic occurred, and the
Metropolitan quickly proceeded to bless
the Emperor and his encourage and con-
secrate the standards anew from the
sanctified waters of the Neva.