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Show TOD OFFICERS ARE PARDONED BY ERROR PERFORMS ACT OF CLEMENCY .ON BIRTHDAY. Crowds Gather at Gates and Warmly Congratulate Stoessel Upon His Release. St. Petersburg, May 19. Lieutenant General Stoessel and Hear Admiral Ncbogatoff, who were pardoned yesterday, yes-terday, his majesty having taken advantage of the aunlversary of his birth to perform this act of clemency, clem-ency, walked forth from the fortress of. St. Peters and St. Paul this afternoon. after-noon. A large crowd gathered at the gates to see the two officers come out. The general attention was concentrated con-centrated upon Stoessel, who was warmly congratulated on his release. He delayed his departure to offer a prayer for his majesty and was then driven away In an automobile. Rear Admiral Nebogatoff, who today finds himself In reduced circumstances, circum-stances, was met only by his son. He walked to the nearest station of the street car line, carrying his personal belongings in his hand. General Stoessel was found guilty by court martial of surrendering Ms fortress of Port Arthur and was serving serv-ing a sentence of ten years' Imprisonment. Imprison-ment. Ncbogatoff was sentenced to be internet In a fortress for the same length of time for surrendering to the enemy at the battle of the Sea of Japan. Emperor Nicholas has extended mercy to eight other officers who were dismissed from, the sorvlc,e for their part in this naval engagement. These men Include Admiral RoJeBt-vcusky's RoJeBt-vcusky's chiefs of staff, Colonel On-gue, On-gue, Captain Baranoff and Colonel Thllitoff. The slate of responsibility for this disaster Is wiped clean by these releases. The dishonoring feature of the sentences Imposed upon these eight officers have been revoked re-voked and they are regarded as having hav-ing retired from the service In the ordinary way. |