The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-05-10
The Curtain Rises on the First
Scene Of the Drama of the
Russian Peoples Political
Freedom.
'CZAR MICS ADDRESS
FROM THE THRONE
The Coming and Going Of the Royal
Couple Void Of Sensational
Incident.
A::eea.ted :::sa. Pres. Cable to TIL. EVENING

TimeA.
st. Petersburg. 10 a. M. May TO-
An ideal May day, like happy augury
greeted the uprising of the curtain
for the new act of the great historical
drama, Russia's struggle for liberty.
Never did the snowy northern capital
of Peter the Great present a more bril-
liant picture than for the Inaugural
ton of the Russian parliament. There
was something distinctly awe inspir-
ing about the day, with the visions of
chains falling from another branch of
the human race and the Russian peo-
pie taking. up the march of modern
civilization.
Notwithstanding the mutual distrust
of the government and the people,
there was not lacking hope that the
foundation of a sincere understanding
between the emperor and his subjects
would be laid strong and deep today.
1t was the attitude of mutual sus-
picion which constituted the great
Earring note on this occasion. 1t
could not be concealed. The city
might have been in state of siege,
so heavy was the array of troops. Not
only were detachments of infantry,
cavalry and gendarms stationed at
strategy points, but large reserves
were massed in the court yards Of
public buildings.
After their devotions their majesties
returned to the terrace and re-entered
the launch. which Immediately crossed
the river and entered the winter palace
from the quay entrance. A little more
than two hours later the vast hosts Of
military and civil dignitaries began
arriving at the winter palace to hear
the emperor's message to the repre-
sentatives of the people.
The emperor's reception passed
without any outward incident. The
tone of the speech from the throne was
concilfatOry. It expressed the emper-
or's wish that relief be given to the
peasants in their present unfortunate
conditions and called on the members
of parliament to put their hearts in
their work and to cooperate with him
in solving the present problems of
Russia and in handing down the uni
ted and prosperous empire to his sue
cessor. h q@.4
p. m.-The emperor and empress,
after leaving the palace, entered the
launch, passed down the river, boarded
the imperial yacht Alexandra and re-
turned to Peterhof. The crowds on
the banks of the river and islands
heartily cheered the imperial party
There was no other incident
Like all great state functions in
Holy Russia the ceremonies began
with religious services.< At 10 o'clock
In the morning the whole city rever-
bated with the grand chimes from St.
Petersburg's myriad of cathedrals,
churches and temples, summoning the
people to the Thanksgiving. Only
those who have heard the booming of
the bells of st. Isaac's cathedral, the
striking bass to the Naturalization
OF the other belfries can appreciate
the savage splendor of the wild
changer. While the bells were still
ringing the imperial yacht Alexandra
with the imperial standard at the fore
moved maiestically up the river,
dipping her flag in answer to the
salutes and cheers from the emper-
or's warships at the Baltic works. The
emperor's arrival was not heralded
by the customary salute Of 3O1 gun.
and for that reason the passage up the
river hardly attracted the notice of
the thousands of spectators. Without
hating at the winter palace, the
AduncAes crossed the river and their
matesties landed under the grim walls
OF the st. Peter and ST. Paul fortress
They were driven at once to the i'm
mense cathedral where the imperial
family knelt and made their devotions.
Members Of the lower house of par
lament after the ceremonies at the
palace embarked on steamers, and
went up the river, landing at Tauride
palace, where the house will assemble.
ST. Petersburg, 5:36 p. M, May 1O.-
The lower house of parliament was
called to order at 5 p. m. by Baron
Frisch and Baron UeXkull, secretary of
the empire, with the hall from one
half to two-thirds filled. Baron Frisch
read an imperial ukase convoking the
parliament and invited the members
to come forward and sign the oath. A
recess was then taken.