Semi-weekly herald., 1910-09-19
when the governor general receives

manner as informal as the receptions
of the president Of the United States
The palace is surrounded by several
acres of gardens, orchards aud groves
all inclosed by a high wall which ex'
tends back into the native city. The
only fortification in the ncighborhood
Of Tashkent occupies nm eminence
upon the opposite side OF wide street
and commands the native eity
The yiceroy. or half king" as the
natives call him, has large staff of
civil and military oiheials. mostly gen
erals and other men of high ianB
Hlose wives and daughters constitute
IA official hi archy. Ike the imperial
T. irt or a. ne;." as rcssible. lhere
a.e dances. tess, card part IS. p,l-
sate theatricals. amateur concerts and
various other amusemelts 1t dhe mil
tars club, watch are attended by me
families of Lhe army officers, who nc
Gy.ded into tliques, coteries and sets
as in other military stations The
military etiquette is cry severe, aud
the customs oi st Petcrsburs pro
vail in social society TO Il degree that
is amusing. Tho merchant population
have no special position although if
they happen 10 have attractive daugh-
tiers they are made welcome at the
balls and garden parties, The morals
Of the people are ignored but religious
holidays are strictly observed
The viceroy has absolute and auto
cratic power and is responsible only
to the car, who appoints and can
remove him. but thus far has never
interrered with his administration.
do not know of any other civilized
ruler on the face OF the earth who is
SO Independent OF all criticism and
restrain as the yiceroy OF Turkestan
The vieeroy of India is always under
FIRE from critics in England and India
both natives and Englishmen, whose
partisanship provokes them TO com.
ment favorably or unfayorably in news
papers, books magazines and upon the
lecture platform, upon everything he
does, according as it happens TO suit
their views. The yicoroy OF India
is the victim Of parliament also and
council for Itfiah affairs. as we'll as
ne colonial department Of he gov
| ernment The civil authorities in In
dia are in communal friction with The
military and since the, ist O. ,Ianl.
airy last eomcl of stata, ore hall
Of whom are natives elected by the
people, has been created 10 cr.ucise
as well rs 10 cooperate wish HI"
The viaaroy OF TmlSestan ! nc, on.
bled with any q these afflicEioBs, bat
is absolgte dIu.atGr, eivil and mill
tary. no one lls him question:. Al.
| though lie is assisted by eoIue'i thas
body seldom Offers him advice unlefs
it is asked fol- and tho ministry a, Il,
Petersburg have nothing 10 aay con
celning his administration one way
or the other.
There is parade ground immediate
ly in front Of the palace surrounded
by double row OF poplar trees, and
upon the opposite side is q gorgeous
church with yellow walls and five tur-
quoise domes embeliished with gilt,
which is intended especially for the
soldiers. A military mass is celebrat-
ed there every Sunday morning and
always upon holidays and sainls' days.
We We're fortunate in being able to
witness the open-air ceremonies upon
the parade ground in front OF the pal
ace upon the emperors birthday. but
they did NOT amount to much. NO
enthusiasm was displayed and it look.
ed as if Nicholas II. is not getting All
the respect that should be coming to
him The city was literally decorated
With Russian flags, but no salute was
fIed. There was probably some res-
son for the omission, but could not
g7t an explanation. The church bells
woke up all the population at an early
hour in the morning, early mass was
sung in all the churches as on Sur
day, and a special service was held in
he military church at 8 O'Clock. whicn
was attended by all of the officials,
eivil and military The introduction OF
several childrens voices added macn
to the effect of the music.
While the mass was being celebrated
The native officials gathered on the pa,
rade ground-the mayor, the magis-
uates and other funotionaries being
dressed in long velvet gowns of bright
celors All OF them wore several deco.
rations and medals which have been
freely bestowed. and in their snowy
white turbans, their long bears and
dignified demeanor, they made an i'm.
pressiye scene. But the service was
not long. the day was hot and velvet
robes are thick and heavy They stood
it as long as they could on the parade
ground and then sought the shade OF
the trees, where they squatted on the
ground and waited until the vioeroy
| appeared
He came from the church at the
close OF the service with more haste
than dignity, followed by enough gen
| erals to furnish an army corps, and,