The San Francisco call., 1908-11-22
CAR ATTENDS THE
FUNERAL OF ALEXIS
Body Of Grand Duke, Uncle of
Emperor OF Russia, Is
Inferred
Procession Escorts Remains
From Railway Station to
Mausoleum Through Snow

ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 21-The
body of Grand Duke Alexis, an uncle
of the emperor of Russia, who died
recently in Paris, was inferred today
in the new mausoleum of the Roman
offs within the fortress of ST. Peter and
st. Paul, and Emperor Nicholas fol-
lowed the coffin on foot through the
crowded and silent streets of his cap
ital. His majesty walked thus from the
railroad station to the fortress, dis
tance of three miles. In spite of ap-
prehensions for the safety of the en-
peror there was no untoward incident.
His majesty was accompanied by a
suite of 1S grand dukes and 100 gen
erals and admirals. The metropolitans
of ST. Petersburg and Moscow and the
most prominent bishops of the Ortho-
dox church participated in the serv-
ices. The two expresses and a num-
ber of the grand duchesses met the
body at the railroad station on its ar
rival from Paris and followed in car
riages behind the other mourners.
The police and military authorities
had taken extreme precautions to pre-
vent any terrorist attempt. The route
of march was lined for the entire dis
tance on either side by living walls of
troops. which made any attempt on the
life of his majesty practically impos-
sible. The line of march was down
the Nevski Prospect through Savovia
street to the Field of Mars, and thence
over the bridge of Trinity to the fort
ress- Long before daylight the streets
of ST Petersburg were alive with
troops proceeding in the direction of
the station. The entire guard corps,
including the garrisons of Peterhof
and Gatchina, turned out for the oc-
casion.
AS precautionary measure the spec
tators- were kept always at least 20
feet, behind the troops.
In spite of the early hour crowds
turned out to witness the parade, es-
pecia1ly along the Nevski prospect. The
prevailing desire seemed to be to get
glimpse of the emperor, who had
hardly been seen by the residents of
st Petersburg for 10 years. There was
no demonstration of any kind
The funeral train from the frontier
arrived punctually on time The en-
peror and the grand duke entered the
railroad station together and shortly
afterward emerged bearing the casket
on their shoulders. After a short serv-
ice the coffin was placed on an open
hearse and the cortege started
ESCORT of HONOR
A delegation of officers from the
Prussian regiment. of which Grand
Duke Alexis was honorary member.
walked with the emperor and his
suite. The escort of honor was COM
posed of detachments from various
English regiments, and 1t was fol-
lowed by the carriages bearing the two
expresses and the grand duchesses
The streets of the, city were white with
snow, and along the line of march they
were strewn with green twigs emblem
attic of the resurrection. Brief halts
were made before four churches. where
the clergy and choirs chanted the re.
quinn.
The guns of the fortress were fred
in salute as the procession crossed the
frozen Neva.
The men and women of the court,
together with the members of the Dip
lomatic corps. including John W. Rid
die, American ambassador, had assem-
bled In the cathedral within the for
tress The final funeral services there
were Conducted in the presence of the
highest representatives of the church
and the state. AT its conclusion the
emperor and the members of the i'm
perial family advanced and kissed the
forehead of Alexis. The coffin was
then closed and carried to the adjacent
mausoleum. where. after second brief
service, it was inferred beneath
marble sarcophagus.
After the services the members OF
the imperial family had luncheon at
the winter palace and then returned to
Tsarsko-S -Selo.