Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-05-10
THE WEATHER WAS IDEAL
Never Did The Snowy Northern Capt.
lal Of Peter the Great Present a
More Brilliant Picture
CITY WAS DRESSED BRlOE-LlKE
Flags Displayed From Build
ings and Boats.
THERE WAS No GENERAL HOLIDAY
..ocl,,sa Pres, Dispa,ons. BY Special wires

ST. Petersburg. Russia, May 100 ..
m. An ideal May day, like happy
augury greeted the uprising Of the curtain
for the now net of the great historical
drama, Russias struggle for Liberty.
Never did the showy northern capital Of
Peter the Great present more brilliant
picture than for the Inauguration of the
Russian Parliament just a suspicion Of
haze hung over the gulf. soitening the
outlines and giving the scene a touch Of
iairyland. The city, spreading out over
the numerous green islandH in the river
seemed swimming in a flood Of light The
broad, swift-iowing Neva, with arms
outstretched % the sea, and the internc-
ing canals we're turned Go azure by the re-
hecting blue OF the heavens and the
golden domes Of tho churches, the spires
of the Admiralty and the ST. Peter and St
Paul fortress and the shining minarets
of the palaces seemed 90 float above the
mass OF yellow buildings Besides. the
metropolis was dressed hride-like, await
ing the coming of her lord The yellow
imperial standard, with the double
headed eagle. flew from the Winter
Palace, flags were displayed from every
house and streams of multi-colored PEN
nants lluttercd from the yachts and ship
ping ia the harbor Even the passenger
boats which thread the rivers and canals,
the street cars and many cnhs carried the
Russian colors. The banks, stores,
schools and some Of the factories were
closed in honor Of the occasion, but there
was no general holiday, the government
specifically discouagng a suspension OF
work in the industrial districts, owing 70
fear that crowding the workmen into
the centre Of tho city might provoke col
4 lisions disorders and perhaps bloodshed
There was something distinctly awe
/ inspiring about the day, with visions q
chains falling from another branch Of thu
! human race and tho Russian people TAX
ing up the march of modern civilization
The Representatives Of the Russian mil
lions and the Russian Emperor were 81
last face 20 face, and the result was {,
determine the fate Of Ethe nation anc
country stretching from Germany TO the
/ Pacific. 60 the Polar seas and to the burn
ing sands of Central Asia. Notwithstand
4 ing the mutual distrust of the govern
ment and people, there was not lacking
the hope that the foundation Of q sincerl
understanding between the Emperor anC
his subjects would be laid strong anS
dcop today IL was the attitude o
mutual suspicion which constituted tn
great. iarring note on this occasion. i
| could not be concealed. II was apparen
everywhere.
Tie city might have been in a state o
siege. so heavy was the array OF troops
Not only we're detachmonts OF infantry
cavalry and gendarmes stationed a
strategic points, but large reserves wen
masspd IN the courtyards of the publi
buildings. Early in the morning th
palace square resombled a field camp
two regiments 81 guards having bivouackel
there an night At daylight battalion
of police took possession Of all the ap
proaches 10 the palace for the distanc
of "a third OF mile. and no ono withou
tickets was allowed TO pass the lines. III
draw of the Nicholas bridge from Nasi
Island WAS opened and the palace bridge
which rests on pontoons, was allowed I
{ swing down the current, so as to perml
the imperial yachts, bearing Their Maze:
, ties and the court from Peterhof, 10 pas
lp the river to the landing stage IN iron
III the Winter Palace. A flotilla Of polio
, patrolboats, several low-lying torpedo
, boats and number of Dared galley
cleared the river as far as the palace OF
; moving craft,
, Like an great State functions in Hol
Russia the ceremonies began with relil
I ious services At 10 o'clock the who
citv reverherated with bells and chim'
: from ST. petersburg's myriad OF cathe
= drals. churches and temples, summomf
I tho people to thanksgiving. Only thoi
{ who have heard the booming Of the pei
y of Sc. Isaacs Cathedral striking bass
+ the Naturalization Of the other he
a fries. can appreciate the savage splendl
+ ~ tie wild clangor Not only at ;
q Petersburg but at the kremlin OF Moscol
/. bells were rmg and te deums were Gel
( brated thus giving the occasion q
q solemn religious. as Will as clvic, slgni
q cameo necessary 70 impress the Ruuusii
!. masses While the bells were ringin
4 the imperial Yacht Alexandra, with q
q imnerial standard az the fore, moved m
iestically up the river, dipping her nag
% answer to the salutes and cheers iro
10 the Emperors warships lying az tlle bal,
is works Instead Of proceeding 70 y
Winter Palace, the yacht stopped al
landing stage of the English quay, Whe
the Emperor, the Empress and DoWaR
Empress entered a launch and attena
ie bN q lNuncn on NaCll uaAht NtefN" ~ =
,e river. The members Of the court ma
I tbe remainder Of the journey TO the Win'
palace I'm carriages, escorted by a tro
; II clatterine Horse Guards Witho
z baltinr al the Winter Palace, the launch
of crossed the river, and Their Malest
u landed under the grim walls OF the
! Peter and St. Paul fortress, whlch IN
n entered by the imperial water terra
,e driving hurriedly to the immense catl
= - dral Where before the tombs Of the E
'e peror's ancestors, the imperial fam
n Enelt for 20 minutes and made their de'
is tions As Their Maiesties, after tn
ia , devotions. returned to the terrace
n re-entered the launch, the faint echo o
~ n cheer swept up the Neva. The impel
"a launch Immediately crossed the river
nj entered the Winter Palace from the az
~ A little more than two hours later no
~ of military and civil dignitaries bel
,w arriving Al the Winter Palace, TO listen