The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-10
The Crown Prince Immediately Sue
ceeds to the Throneas Frederick III,
And VIII This Morning Leave San Reno for
Berlin, Where Extensive Preparations Are
Now Being Made FOR His Reception.
wILHELM's LAST HOURS.

WILHELM'S LAST HOURS.
scenes in the Chamber of rhe Dying Ruler
His Last Words Favor Peace.
BERLIN. March 9-The Reichs Anzeiger gives
the following details OF the last hours of Emper-
or William: "On Wednesday. when his strength
began to fail. the Emperor spoke repeatedly to
Prince William about the condition of the Crown
Prince, and about politics and military affairs.
On Thursdayshe talked with his daughter, the
Grand Duchess of Baden, about the death of her
son, Prince Louis. At noon he asked for Prince
Bismarck. who came aud conversed with him
the political situation. The Emperor spoke
clearly. and thanked the Chancellor for his
services to the country. Increased feeble
ness soon followed, attended with delirium.
His voice became feebler and feebler, finally
sinking TO whisper. At o'clock he was SO
weak that the members OF the, family, Prince
Bismarck and Count Won Moltke, and the serv-
ants OF the household gathered around the bed.
The Emperor. supported by the doctors, held
the hand OF his wife on one side and his daugh-
ter's hand on the other Prince William stood
alone at the head Of the couch Chaplain Koegel
spoke few words of consolation to which the
Emperor whispered occasional responses. At
$50 the patient manifested extreme weakn ess
and death seemed imminent. Suddenly the
Emperor rallied and asked for Count Won
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 Hstaers. He then
referred to Germanys alliances with various
countries and the possibility os war. But dur
ing the latter portion of his remarks the fances
of deirium were mingled with coherent utter
ances.
This temporary recovery of strength lasted un-
til 10 o'clock. At frequent intervals he conversed
In a touching earnest manner with those about
him. Between 10 and he appeared to sleep.
At about O'CLOCK it was observed that serious
change was beginning TO take place in the EN-
peror's face. Although there was again a
slight Improvement in his condition, at o'clock
it was seen that the Emperors last moments
were near Members of the family were again
summoned to his bedside, and at $50 O'Clock the
doctors declared that he was dead During the
last few hours the EN- peror was partly con-
scious.
The death of the Emperor was announced to
the popuIace by the lowering to halfmasr of the
standard owe the palace. Flags at half-mast
are displayed on all the public buildings.
The Emperor's remains lie covered with
white cloth on the bedstead on which he died IN
the imperial chamber. The body is surrounded
with candles. !. The expression of the face is ex-
tremely peaceful and placid. The members of
the royal family left the palace at 10 o'clock.
The remains will be buried in the mausoleum
at Charlottenburg.
The evening papers contain what are reported
to be the last words spoken by the Emperor
Theysare: Alexander has promised me that he
will not make against u.s." It is reported
that the Emperor also said 'I am convinced
that we ought not to go to with Russia, to-
ward whom the most friendly attitude ought to
be adopted"
The last thirty six hours of the Emperor's life
were of alternate drowsiness aelirium and con-
sciousness. At times he would start excitedly
and speak of family or political matters. Once
he mstook Prince Bismarck for the
Crown Prince, and taking his hand pleaded
with him to be always kind to the
Gear. Afterwards he recognized the Chancellor
and expressed brokenly his satisfaction with
the Austro- German alliance. About o'clock
in the morning he talked so much that the
Duchess of Baden expressed fear that he would
thus tire himself. The Emperor replied .T
have time to be tired" Prince William stood
st the foot of the bed durins the Emperors last
moments. The Emperor's death agony was not
great, and his face a tranquil. almost
smiling expression. A few minutes before he
died he exclaimed: Fritz, dear Fritzr'
The Emperor left n personal fortune of 800
0OO 600 marks in cash. 1t IS expected that his
funeral will take place on Thursday March 10
General gloom prevails st Berlin, and the
sombreness is rendered more profound by the
fact that it is raining in torrents.
Count Won Moltke, at the closing scene, was
deeply moved, and at lasf wept bitterly, but
when he subsequently appeard in the Reichstag
he composed, being only shade graver
than usual.
Towards IL o'clock the painter. Herr Anton
Won Werner, and the sculptor, Herr Won Ochs.
ir, were admitted TO thedeath chamber. The
body in the meantime hsd been arranged and
placed in half sitting posture. while the grand
Duchess of Baden had Suewn flowers over the
bed. Herr Werner made sketch of the body
and its surroundings, aad Prof. Begas came
perors face. photographer was also admitted
to the chamber and t5ok a photograph of
the deceased a he lay the iron bed.
Only few specially privileged persons and a
enter the room during the day. No one could
help being moved at the simplicity of the
roundiugs Of tho most popular and powerful
monarch of modern times. AS he lay in his
military bed he presented picture of most
touching peace. calm aI1 gentleness. The EN-
peror's bed-rOom is most simply fur
nisned. 1t is scarcely necessary TO speak
of the iron camp bedsteAd. It accom- panied him
10 all his journeys. in ihe field and whenever
he left his own palace. IL shows the military
sim mplicity of the Emreror, but it also shows
how difficult it was for him to separate himself
from things 10 whith he had become
customed The bed does not stand along the
WALL but comes out in the room. Behind the
the bed. IS a wooden cruciix- On the
left side of the room is cupboard with