, 1888-06-17
The Emperor to His army ana Navy.

ueslre. Inc empress bears up braYely.
Her health is not affected.
The Emperor to His Army ana Navy.
BERLIN, June l6.-Emperor William
Ill has issued the following general order
to the army:
While the army has only Just dis
carded the outward signs of mourning for
Emperor King William l, my deeply re-
vered grandfather, whose memory will
ever live in all hearts, it has suffered a
fresh and heavy blow by the death of my
dear and warmly loved father. This is,
indeed, a serious and sorrowful tine, in
which Gods decree places me at the head
OF the army. 1t is from a deeply moved
heart that | address my first words to my
army, but the confidence with which [
step into the place to which Gods will
calls me is immoyably strong, for l know
what sense Of honor and duty my glorious
ancestors have implanted in the army and
L know In how great a measur this feel
ing has at all times been manifested in the
army A firm and i%nviolable attachment
to the war lord is an inheritance handed
Town from father to son, from generation
to generation, and in the same way | re-
fer you to my grandfather, who stands
fresh in all your memories as the per-
sonfication Of the glorious and venerable
war lord, such as could not be more
finely conceived or, in form, more speak
ing to the heart"
Il refer you to my beloved father, who,
as crown prince, had already won a place
of honor in the annals of the army, and
to a long line of glorious ancestors. whose
names shine brightly in history and whose
hearts beat warmly for the army. Thus
we belong to each other-I and the army.
Thus we were born for one another, and
thus we will stand together in an indisso-
luble bond in peace or storm-as God may
will it. You will now take the oath of
fidelity and obedience, and l swear ever
to remember that the eyes of my ances-
tors look down upon me from the other
world, and that | shall one day have to
render an account to them of the glory
and honor of the army.
[Signed. WILLIAM"
Dated at Freiderickshon.
THE ADDRESS TO THE NAVY.
The following order has been issued to
the navy:
Il have to inform the navy with a
deeply moved heart that my beloved
father, emperor of Germany and king of
Prussia, Frederick III, has departed this
life peacefully in the Lord, and |, step
ping to the place assigned by Gods will,
have assumed the government of the
land, falling to me by hereditary right,
and herewith, also chief in command of
TIE navy. 1t is, indeed, a profoundly
grave period, in which | address my first
words to the navy, which has only Just
ceased wearing outward signs of mourn
ing for my ever to be remembered and
beloved grandfather, Emperor William |,
who only last year during his presence at
Kiel expressed in the waTmest words a
lively satisfaction at and his appreciation
of the development of the navy under his
glorious government. The flags are al
ready lowered for my much beloved
tather, who so greatly reioiced at and took
so strong a interest in the growth and
progress of the navy. Yet the time of
deep and sincere mourning chastises and
f~ortiies mems hearts. Thus we shall
look confidently to the future, preserving
in our hearts the memory of my grand
father and father.
1.-The navy knows hat it not only gives
me Joy to belong to it by an external
bond, but that since my earliest youth a
warm and lively interest has, in complete
sympathy with my dear brother, Prince
Henry, united me with the navy l have
learned to appreciate the high sense of
honor and faithful ful6llment of duty
prevailing in the navy. 1 know that every
member of the navy is prepared joyfully
to give his life for the honor of the Ger
man flag, wherever be may be. Thus, in
this sad hour, lean say with all confidence,
we shall stand together firmly aud surely
in good and evil days, as in sunshine,
ever remembering the glory of the Ger.
man fatherland and ever prepared to shed
our hearts blood for the honor of the
German flag. In this, Gods blessing will
be with us.
[Signed. WILLIAM"
Dated at Fr~eiderickshon.