THE TSAR'S VISIT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 193, 18 September 1909, Page 6

THE TSAR'S VISIT.

ANGLO-RUSSIAN ENTENTE. ON BRITISH. SOIL. London, August C. The Czar of Russia's visit to England has been the chief event of the wee:. The function has been purely- official m character, and the attitude of the "man in the street" lias been rather one ot indifference than of any particular _ «- teresl in what is undoubtedly an important international event. Although the Corporation of London decided to •.resent an address of welcome, public opinion was averse to the Czar making his aiii.earance in London, and so all festivities have been strictly confined to the neighborhood of Cowes. From the Hovnl point of view the Czar's welcome left nothing to be desired. Dinner par- , ties have been held and felicitous speeches have been made, but in 'io I sense of the word can the welcome be termed a national one. The Russian Emperor actuallyjandcd on British soil on Wednesday. The greatest precautions were taken to protect Ids Royal person from the designs ] of undesirable persons, and the landing i was cll'ected with the utmost secrecy. A STRANGLED CHEER.

At 3 o'clock a large racing yaciit sailed up the Medina toward Trinity , Pier at East Cowes, and in her wake ' could be seen a Royal barge with a f llotilla of patrol boats in attendance. The King and the Czar, (lie Queen, the Czaritsa, and the Prince of Wales we.o on board. There was a rush to the "ales of tli'e wharf, and those who hud cheers to give prepared to deliver them. The cheer" was strangled at its bir'h. The gates were closed with a clang, the waiting motor-cars nulled empty away, and the Royal procession passed rapidly up tlie river. Once more the care which doth hedge about an Emperor of Russia was demonstrated. While the waiting crowds were wondering which way to turn, a modest Royal salute informed them tliat the Czar had landed. He went ashore at Kingston Stairs, the private landingstage of the Naval Cadet College, where I no one at nil could see him. He entered ' a swift motor-car with the King, tntl went away like a Hash. AlHlra elaborate arrangements at Trinity Whaif, waiting motor-cars that were not wanted, and the ceremonious arrival of Sir John Fisher, First Lord of the Admiral tv, proved to he part of the wellorganised scheme to keep the Czar well awav from visitors.

'the little czarevitch. No such precautions were deemed necessary lor the Czar's children. They came up to Trinity Wharf nt 3.30, entered a motor-car, and were slowly driven to Osborne Cottage. A most happv and light-hearted little party they "were, and they waved their hands and blew kisses in reply to the cheers. There were the Grand Duchess 01 ja, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia, all in white, with puggaree veils round their sofl straw hats, and there was the Czarcwitch in a white sailor suit, a chubliv little fellow who is quite obviousl'v the darling of the sisters. His pudgy' little attempts at a salute wcie the 'most amusing features of the progress. Two or three of the Crand Duchesses carried cameras, and they took several snapshots through the open windows of the car. They went to Os- • borne Cottage and had great games on the lawn with Princess Henry of Battenberg, Princess Christian, Princess Victoria of Sclilcswig-Holstein, and Princess Patricia of Connaught. Meantime the Czar's party had gone like a flush up tlie leafy lanes of Osborne, scan only by a handful of privileged nbservcrs'and by a couple of watchful nn'ii at the crciss-riiiiik wlio wore serge suits ami yachting caps, and tried their best net to look like policemen. The Czar, the King, and the Prince of Wales were dri'ssed alike in yachting costume— a

white-topped hat, a navy-blue jnckcr., ivliite drill trousers, and white boots. Behind them, in another car, were the. Czaritsa. the Princess of Wales, Princes Jlnrv of Wales, ami Princess T.eturhi.

PRINCE EDWARD AS GUIDE. Entering by the Captain's Gate, the party first visited the gymnasium, where no boys were to be seen, for the college is now on vacation; then passed on to the college proper. There they hud an extremely well-informed and enthusiastic guide. Young Prince Edward of Wales, just liberated for holidays from his studies at Dartmouth, arrived Ivy motor to show the Czar his bed and study and the room where, wlien a junior, he used to do his "prep." The Imperial and Royal party gladly folImved (he lead of Prince' Edward, and wire content to allow him to show the sights.

Tea at Barton Manor, where the Princess of Wales is staying, ended the shore visit, and the Roval visitors relumed (o their yachts,'the King an.l Czar to attend a dinner to the Royal Yacht Squadron in tin* Victoria and Albert, the Czaritsa In preside over a dinner iwrtv to Roval ladies on the Slandart.