The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-02
Conservation of Church is a
 Gloomy Ceremony
IN MEMORY 0F ALEXANDER
Interior of New Church Presents Scene of Great SpIendor, But Few of Foreign Residents Attend
 the Exercises.

St. Petersburg, September 1.-For the second time since Red Sunday" tJan- uary 22, 1905) Emperor Nicholas today entered the capital to attend the con secration of church to the memory of his grandfather, Alexander II, who was assasslnated in March, 1881 on the spot where the edifice was raised. The date of the trip conincidlng with the conspiracy trial just closed plainly was designed to raise the loyalty of the army and the people. It was a com plete success and no untoward incide 1t occurred.
 The police neglected no precaution to insure the safety of the Emperor and even went so far as to thoroughly search the city and inspect the pass ports of suspicious individuals. Gen. darmes were stationed in every window facing the route over which the im- perial procession passed and owners of houses were forbidden to open win dows under pain of heavy fine. Bridge and river traffic was entirely suspend ed the banks of the Neva were lined with marine guards and torpedo boats patroled the river.
 The imperial party arrived from Peterhof unannounced, not a single sa- lute being fired during their whole stay The Emperor and his party dis embarked from a yacht at the admiralty an dentered an unconspicuous launch, landing at the Grand Duke Constan- tines palace. Thence they proceeded the remainder of the way to the me- morial church in carriages.
 Though the church faces the Nevsky Prospect, it is conveniently reached from the Neva across the Mars Field drill ground where a new road fianked by rows of flags had been made for their mnjesties. The Emperor's ar rival was anonunced by cheers from the troops. the public looking on only indifTerently. The big church yard was picturesquelv borderd by platoons of curiassiers, grenadiers and dragons In multi-colored uniforms, waving plumes. bushes and silver breastplates
 After walking around the church and saluting the guards the Emperor en- tered the edl1ce at the south door. The scene inside was one of great splendor, recalling the old court balls. An abun- dance of light streaming through the lofty windows, Illuminated the four inn mense mosaic columns around which were grouped 2O00 representatives of the ruling classes.
 Premier Stolypin was the only min ister to attend the ceremonies. MT Riddle, the American ambassador. and Sir Arthur Mich olson, the British am bassador, and the civic element were conspicuously absent. The three walls of the church were divided with a file of palace grenadlers and the entrances were guarded by veterans of the Russo Turkish war.
 The Emperor seemed to be In eX- cellent spirits, but the Empress had the same care-worn, sad look which has often been remarked. The Emperor wore a simple Preobrajensky uniform with a dark blue tunic and trousers. Across his shoulders was tho blue sash of St Andrew. The Empress was gowned In white silk and wore white ostrich feather hat and string of diamonds Both their majesties re- ruained standing throughout the entire ceremony which lasted three and a quarter hours.
 After the ceremony the imperhl party left for a cruise in the Gulf Of Finland.