Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-03-10
The Death of tine Emperor William.

The Death of tine Emperor Williams
On Wednesday, when lis strength began
to fail, the Emperor spoke repeatedly to
Prince William about the condition of the
Crown Prince and about political and mill
tary affairs. On Thursday he talked with
his daughter, the Grand Duchess of Baden,
about the death of heE son, Prince Louis.
At noon he asked fof Prince Bismarck, who
came and conversed with him on the politi.
cal situation. His voice socn became feebler
finally sinking to whisper. At O'Clock
he was so weaS that the members OF bis
family, Primes Bismarck and Count Won
Moltke end the servants of the household
gathered around the bed. The Emperor,
supported by the doctors. held the hand oil
his wife on one side and his daughters on
the other. FRINGE William stood at the
head cf tho couch. Chaplain Koegel spoke
few words of consolation, to which the
E,npe.or whispered occasional responses
suddenly tho Emperor rallied aud talked
with Count Won Moltke and Pfinca William
about the state of the army aud the RUSSIAN
people. He then referred to GermaDys al
liaucas with various countries and The pos
sibility of war. Between 10 and O'Clock
he appeared TO sleep. At about O'Clock "
vas observed that serious change was BE-
ginning to take place iu the Emperor's lace,
and at o'clock it was seen that his last mo
manis were near. The members of his FAM
iiv were again summoned to his bedside,
and at $50 the doctors declared that he was
dead During the last few hours the En-
peror was partially conscious.
The Emperor died holding the Empress
by the hand. He was delrious for brief
period, during which he is reported TO nave
exclaimed II am a man OF peace, pat II
Russia forces me 10 war, | shall faithfully
side with my ally, Austria"
The Emperor will be buried in the mauao'
leum at Cbarlottenburg He left $500 ,000,-
600 marks in cash. 1t is expected that the
funeral will take place next Thursday.
The Reichstag assembled at l2:3O p. III.
amid unusual excitement in the lobbies
All the benches in the House were speedily
| filed aud the galleries were crowded Pro-
| found silence reigned. A large number CT
the federal commissares were in their places
at the federal councillors table from an
early hour. Meanwhile the plenipotentia-
ries awaited Prince Bismarck in the lobby,
and AZ soon % he arrived they went with
| him 10 the hall of the federal council, where
they held private conference. AT bali
mast twelve the members of the council en-.
tered the Reichstag and took positions to
the left of the presidential chair. lmmedl-
ately afterwards the president was called
away for an interview with Prince Bismarck.
At 1872 Prince Bismarck appeared and The
members rose 10 body
The chancellor, after pause, said The
sad duty devolves upon me OF making to
YOU an official communication Of what you
know already. that since hslf-past eight
o'clock his Majesty Emperor, William. has
| been at rest with his fathers. La consequence
of this event the Prussian throne, and with
this, according to article eleven fthe Imperial
constitution, the imperial dignity, has fallen
upon his Majesty Frederick the Third, King
of Prussia. The Geographic intelligence re
ceived by me allows of the assumption that
mis- Majesty. the reigning Emperor and
King, will leave San Reno tomorrow, ar
irving IN due course in Berlin. During the
last DAYS of his life received from the much
laueated King confirmation OF the power
TO work which only left him with his life,
the signature which lies before me, and
which empowers me to close the Reichstag
at the usual time when its lebors are hnish
ed. addressed to the Emperor the request
that he should sign only with the tirst let
tiers of bis mama His Majesty replied that
he believed himself still able to write his
name in full. Iu consequence of this the
historical document with the last signature
of his Majesty lies before you. Under the
circumstances assume that il would be in
accordance with The wish of the Rsichstag,
as we'll az of the representatives OF the fed-
era governments, not to separate just
now, but to remain in session untll et-
ter the arrival of his Majesty tho Emperor.
| | therefore do not make any use of the i'm
perial authorization beyond deposting it in
| the archives as historical document and
requesting your president TO induce the
adoption Of resolution, which will reflect
the feeling and conviction Of the Reichstag.
II does not become mo 10 givo from this Off
cial place expression to the personal feelings
| with which the decesee Of my master, the
departure of tho arst German Emperor from
our midst. fills ne There is, in fact, no
need of it, for the feelings which animate
me live in the heart of every German. But
there ia one thing which I believe should
not Conceal from you. 1t does not concern
my sentiments, but my experiences. IL 10
| the fact that amid the sore Visitations with
which the ruler ust departed lived
to see bis house afflicted there were two cir
cumstances which filled him with satisfac.
ton and comfort One Of them was the eff
feet that the suGeripgs of his only son ana
successor, our present sovereign lord, had
produced throughout the world-not only
in Germany, bat in every part of the world.
I received this very day from New Yoik q
telegram of sympathy, showing what conf.
dence the dynasty OF the imperial house has
acquired among all nations. This is the
legacy which the Emperors long reign be-
queaths to the German people. The cont
dence which his dynasty has won will be
transferred to the nation, despite anything
that has happened"
The House received the communication
with evident satisfaction, the more so be
cause Herr Won Puttkemer, in announcing
the death of Emperor William to the lower
house of the Diet, had not alluded to the
new Emperor. This omission had created
a painful impression. After the adjourn.
mant Prince Bismarck descended from the