The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-10
EMPEROR WILLIAM DEAD
HIS LAST MOMENT AS PEACEFUL
AS POSSIBLE.

at the Bedside Except tie Crown
Prince and His Household - Bis
marck Makes the Announcement to
arliament-Sorrow Throughout the
World.
BERLIN, March 9.-Emperor William
died at $50 o'clock this morning. His
death was announced to the populace by
lowering to half mast the standard over
the palace. Flags at half mast were soon
displayed on all the public buildings. An
immense concourse of people gathered out
side the palace. The multitude was silent
and sorrowful.
Eye witnesses of the scene at the death
state that during the last few hours of his
life he suffered no pain. Shortly after 8
o'clock all the members of the family stay
ing at the palace, the court dignatries, Gen
erals and Ministers of State were summoned
to the chamber in which the Emperor lay
diving. The Emperor was in half sitting
position in a camp bedstead. All the men,
bers of the royal family took their places at
the bedside The room was crowded.
Prince William stood nearest the Emperor
Half bending over the couch he earnestly
watched the face of the dying monarch
until he expired.
The Emperor'S remains were covered with
a white cloth and were left on the bedstead
on which he died in the imperial chamber.
The body was surrounded with candles
The expression of the face was extremely
peaceful and placid. The members of the
royal family left the palace at 10 O'clock.
Divine service will be held in the rnortuary
chamber tomorrow night. The cathe-
dral choir will perform the choral parts of
the service.
HOW HE DIED.
The Emperor died holding the Empress
by the hand. He had been in a stupor
since 3 o'clock. He was delirious for
brief period at o'clock, during which he
is isreported to have exclaimed 'I am a
man Of peace, but if Russia forces me to
war | shall faithfully side with my ally,
Austria" The Emperor will be buried in
the mausoleum at Charlottenberg.
HIS LAST HOURS.
The ReichSanzeiger gives the following
details of the last hours of Emperor
William: "On Wednesday, when his
strength began to fail, the Emperor spoke
repeatedly to Prince William about the con-
dition of the Crown Prince and about politi-
cal and military affairs. Thursday he 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 and conversed with
him on the political situation. The EN-
peror spoke clearly, and thanked the Chan
celor for his services to the country. In
creased feebleness soon followed, attended
with delirium. His voice became feebler
and feebler, finally sinking to a whisper.
At o'clock he was so weak that the mem
bers of the family, Prince Bismarck and
nn cOff fbo
household gathered around the bed.
SAD SCENE
"The Emperor, supported by the doctors,
held the hand of his wife on one side and
bis daughters hand on the other. Prince
William stood alone at the head of the
couch. Chaplin Koegel spoke a few words
of consolation, to which the Emperor whiS-
pered occasional responses. At $50 o'clock
the patient manifested extreme weakness,
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
particulars when speaking of military mat
ters, to the astonishment of both his listen
ers, He then referred to Germany's alli-
ances with various countries and the posi-
bllity of war. But during the latter portion
OF his remarks the fantasies of delrium
were mingled with his coherent utterances.
ONLY TEMPORARY.
"This temporary recovery of strength
lasted till 10 o'clock. At frequent intervals
he conversed in a touching, earnest manner
with those about him. Between 10 and .
o'clock he appeared to sleep. About 2
o'clock it was observed that a serious
change was beginning to take place in the
Lmperor's face, although there was again
slight improvement in his condition. At z
o'clock it was seen that the Emperor's last
moments were near. The members of his
family were again summoned TO his bed
side, and at $3.50 o'clock the doctors declared
that he was dead. During the last few
hours the Emperor was partially conscious.
PAINTER AND SCULPTOR.
About II o'clock to-day Painter Anten
Won Werner and Sculptor Won Ochs, Jr.
were admitted to the death chamber The
body in the meantime had been arranged
ana placed in half sitting posture, while
the Grand Duchess of Baden had strewed
flowers over the bed. Werner made sketch
OF the body and its surroundings, and Prof.
begas came later on to take an impression
OF the dead Emperor's face. A photographer
was also admitted to the chamber and took
q Photograph of the deceased as he lay in
the iron bed.
Only few specially privileged persons,
ana certain number Of journalists were
permitted to enter the room during the day.
NO one could help being moved at the
simplicity of the surroundings of the most
popular and powerful monarch of modern
times. AS he lay in his military bed he
presented picture OF most touching peace,
calm and gentleness
SIMPLY FURNISHED.
The Emperor's bed room is most simply
furnished. 1t is scarcely necessary to speak
0l the iron camp bedstead. 1t accompanied
MN IN all his journeys in the field and
whenever he left his own palace. 1t shows
.he military simplicity of the Emperor, but
II also shows how difficult it was for him to
4 separate himself from the things
4 70 which he had become accustomed.
4 me bed does not stand along the wall
DuJ comes out into the room. Behind
eeught-up curtain on the wall at the head
q y, ~ tne bed is a wooden crucifix. On the
iglV SIDE Of the room is a cupboard with
sEaS doors and green silk curtains, in which
ore Inementoes and presents, mostly Of his
y,olth, which he particularly valued. At
W ols door of the death chamber garde du
eorps is stationed, and in the ante-cham ber
are several aides-de-camp. Officers of all
e regiments fill the rooms, and
sarueners are continually bringing
~ flowers, which are strewn on
tL tle moor. During the short intervals that
,i Ie members of the family are absent from
tAe room. a few nl-i vileuad f1e1cons are al