St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-03-15
DEATH OF EMPEROR WILLIAM.
King Frederick III Succeeds to the
Throne.

King Frederick III Succeeds to the
Throne.
Wilhelm |, the emperor of Germany
and king of Prussia died at Berlin Fri.
day at the age of 81. He had been fol
so years IA soldier, 81 years a king and
IL years an emperor. He lived to see
Prussia advance in political importance
beyond that of Austria, and finally
founded al Imperial dynasty with the
fatherland for M empire.
In his last hours the emperor seems
to have had but one wish, that he
might see his invalid son once more
The crown prince was notified that his
father was i'll, but was not given to
understand that it was serious, much
less fatal. His doctors telegraphed
back that he would be able to be
brought there on Saturday unless IN
favorable symptoms which could not
be foreseen should set in. The emper-
or tried to look pleased when this
information was given him, but his
smile was sad, as though he knew that
Saturday would probably be too late.
On the evening before his death the
emperor rallied and asked for Count
vOn MOltke and Prince William with
both of whom he talked about the
state of the army and the Prussian
people, entering into minute particu-
lars when speaking of military matters,
to the astOnishment of both his list
ners. The following morning he sank
away. 1t is reported that the last
words of the emperor we're: "AleXan-
der has promised me that he will not
make war against u.s." 1t is reported
that the emperor also said: 81 am
convinced that we ought not to go to
war with Russia, towards whom the
most friendly attitude ought to be
adopted" A few minutes before his
death the emperor exclaimed Grit
Dear Fritz" One of the pathetic
things about the last days of Emperor
William was his separation from the
afflicted crown prince. His physician
went into his bedroom a fortnight ago
at A in the morning and found the
monarch sitting up in bed crying like
IA child. He exclaimed doctor, |
cannot sleep for thinking of Fritz.
For heavens sake hurry and make
preparations to let me go to San Reno
to be with him."
Frederick William Nicholas Charles,
who succeeds his father us King of
Prussia and Emperor of Germany, was
born 1881. His mother directed his
earlier education, in all branches of
study, the Empress Augusta being a
woman of great cultivation. In 1858,
the prince married the Princess Veto
ria Adelaide Mary Louise, eldest
daughter of Queen Victoria. This
Princess, who now becomes the Ger
man Empress, is nine years younger
than her husband. They have had
eight children. In the first year of his
married life the Prince was made
Major-General i'm the Prussian army.
He was promoted to the rank of Lieu
tenant General in 1860, and at the
head of his corps took part in the war
against Denmark. When the war with
Austria broke out in 1866 the Prince
was placed in command of the army
and brilliantly opened the campaign.
At the beginning of the Franco-Ger-
man war, in 1870, the Crown Prince
was placed in command of the third
army. 1t was to this army that the
city and garrison of Paris surrendered.
The Kings bulletin announcing the
first Prussian victory gave to the
Crown Prince his most popular name,
"Unser Fritz" which will probably
cling TO him during his life. The new
Emperor has long been recognized us a
judicious statesman, a moderate liberal
and Il steady advocate of peace.