The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-20 00:00:00

CLOSING OF THE CONGRESS.
On Saturday, at 2.30 p.m., the Berlin Treaty of
Peace was signed in the Chancellor's mansion at
Berlin (writes the Correspondent of The Times). To
perform the solemn act the Plenipotentiaries appeared
in uniform, attended by their Secretaries and Staff.
The ceremony was opened by Prince Bismarck thank-
ing the Plenipotentiaries for the zeal evinced in
promoting the pacific result of the debates, and for the
assistance they had kindly given him in accelerating
the prompt and satisfactory despatch of business.
Dwelling upon the mutual concessions made, the
Prince regarded them as a good omen for the future,
and was fain to hope that the conciliatory attitude
assumed by all parties concerned, would have per-
manent results for the consolidation of peace.

The seven copies of the Treaty, printed on parch-
ment and bound in red morocco leather, were then
placed on the table and signed by the Plenipotentiaries,
the seals having been previously affixed by the Secre-
taries. The parting scene had now arrived. The
French name of his country beginning with an A,
Count Andrassy, according to the alphabetical order
of precedence observed by the Congress, rose to deliver
the following address to the President of the illustrious
assembly :

"Gentlemen,—At this, the moment when our efforts have
resulted in a general understanding, it would be impossible
for us not to render homage to the eminent statesman who
has directed our labours. He has invariably aimed at assur-
ing and consolidating peace. With this in view, he has
devoted all his endeavours to reconcile differences and
put an end as speedily as possible to the uncer-
tainty which weighed so heavily on Europe. Thanks
to the wisdom and the untiring energy with which
our President has guided our labours, he has
contributed in a high degree to the prompt success of the
work of pacification which we undertook in common. I
feel sure, therefore, of meeting with the unanimous assent
of this august assembly in proposing to offer our warmest
thanks to his Most Serene Highness Prince Bismarck. And
while we are now about to separate, I think I shall further-
more beat respond to your feelings by uttering our respect-
ful gratitude for the gracious hospitality we have received
from His Majesty the German Emperor and his august
Imperial family."
In reply to Count Andrassy Prince Bismarck said :
" I am deeply sensible of the words Count Andrassy has
just spoken in the name of this illustrious assembly. I
warmly thank the Congress for having been good enough to
join therein, and I beg to express my entire gratitude to
my colleagues for the indulgence and friendly sentiments
they have displayed towards me in the course of our
labours. The spirit of conciliation and mutual goodwill
by which all the Plenipotentiaries have been animated
has facilitated a task which, in the state of my health. I
scarcely hoped to carry on to its conclusion. At this
moment, when, to the satisfaction of the Governments
represented and the whole of Bump.), the Congress attains
the hoped-for result, I beg you to retain a kindly recollec-
tion of me. As for myself, the memorable epoch which
has just passed will remain indelibly engraved on my
memory."
All the members rose to signify their recognition of
the services rendered by the German Chancellor in
directing the debates. The sitting occupied nearly
an hour. When the Plenipotentiaries left the Palace
there was a large concourse of people in the Wil-
helmplatz waiting to profit by the last opportunity
of seeing the diplomatic celebrities. Prince Gortchakoff
was carried downstairs. Lord Beaconsfield seemed in
good health, and looked grave and gratified as he
entered his carriage to drive to the Crown Prince's
Palace. M. Waddington had a private interview with
Prince Bismarck after the sitting. Count Schouvaloff
had his little son with him, the boy having apparently
been taken to the entrance-hall to give him an oppor-
tunity of remembering the event. Princess Bismarck,
Countess Bismarck, and a few other ladies looked
down upon the ceremony from a box in the hall, while
Herr von Werner, the painter, whose brush is to per-
petuate the Congress, sat at the table with the Pleni-
potentiaries.
At six o'clock in the afternoon the Crown Prince
and Princess entertained 170 persons, including the
Plenipotentiaries, Ambassadors, Envoys, and entire
Diplomatic Staff, at a grand dinner in the White Hall
of the old Schloss. All the Princes and Princesses of
the Royal Family were present. After the second dish
his Imperial Highness rose and proposed the following
official toast :
"The hopes with which a month ago, in the name of the
Emperor, I greeted the illustrious statesmen assembled in
Congress have been happily realized. The work of achiev-
ing peace, so much desired by Europe, has just been crowned
by their efforts. As interpreting the feelings of my august
father, I rejoice to render homage to the wisdom and the
spirit of conciliation which have brought about this great
result. The understanding which has just been established
will be a new pledge of peace and public weal. The assist-
ance of Germany is secured beforehand in all tending to
assure and preserve these great blessings. In the name of
His Majesty, I drink to the health of the Sovereigns and
Governments whose representatives have signed, on this
memorable date, the Treaty of Berlin."
All present rose and solemnly responded to the call
of his Imperial Highness.

In political circles (says the Berlin Correspondent
of The Times) the highest significance is uni-
versally attached to the conclusion of the labours of
the Congress as regards the interests of the peace of
Europe, and a general feeling of confidence is expressed
that an era of lasting peace is at hand, and that a
joyful pledge of its continuance is afforded by the
recent personal intercourse and increased personal in-
timacy of the leading Miniaters of the European States.

The North German Gazette devotes a long article to
the signing of the Treaty of Berlin. It says :
"No more eloquent testimony of confidence in the pacific
and honourably mediatory policy of Germany could be en-
graved on the tablets of recollection of this century than
this meeting of important statesmen, who, while represent-
ing. interests frequently of a divergent character, were
mated in trusting to the mediatory and conciliatory action
of Germany. Their confidence has not been misplaced.
They were aided by the energy and power of accomplishment
which for many years have been the distinguishing mark
of German policy, and which, in the difficult hours
of the last few weeks, have once more succeeded
in conducting negotiations to an issue. This laborious task
was greatly facilitated, and, indeed, rendered possible, by
the personal relations of friendship and confidence subsist-
ing between the Imperial Chancellor and the foreign Pleni-
potentiaries. The representatives of the Great Powers
had acquired by experience the justifiable conviction that
Germany lent her services to no other interests than those
of a sincere understanding which should last as long as
possible."
The article then alludes to the sorrowful events of
the 11th of May and 2nd of July, which cast a dark
shadow over the satisfaction with which Germans are
able to look upon the task now in the main concluded,
and closes as follows :
- •

------
"Though the name of the Emperor William will be missing
in the deed of ratification, he will nevertheless for all time
European Towers, confidently and promptly complying with
be associated with the Treaty and with the fact that the
His Majesty's appeal, assembled under his ices in the
German capital, thus proving to the present generation and
to posterity that the Emperor William has fulfilled his pro-
mise of the German Empire's peaceful mission."