The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-30
Observation-Disclosures
A SPEECH EXPECTED AT THE NEW
YEAR RECEPTION.

A Belief That the Fever of War Prep
aration will Be Followed by a Calm
Incident to Conscious Readiness for
a Clash - Bisnaarcks Health a Dis
turning Factor in the Situation-The
Allowance of the Imperial Family
Mosu of the Fetes Abandoned.
Copyrighted 1888 By the New York Associated
Press.
BERLIN, Dec. 29.--The New Year recep-
ton at the court is awaited with anxiety,
the impression prevailing that the emperor
will seize the occasion to give utterance to
some words pregnant with indications of
the coming years policy. Nothing like
speech can be expected, the court being
against anything beyond formal reception
to the plomatists, officials and Hofgesell-
schaft generally, but some few words con-
veying a message of peace to the world are
certainly looked for The emperor readily
finding chance, none will doubt of his
utterances.
The North German Gazette has tardily
reproduced, in prominent position and in
large type, the emperor's words on receiving
a wreath at the Vulcan ship works: These
are the laurels of peace"
THE WAR PLANS
Semi-official newspapers concur in the
announcement that whatever war plans are
in preparation in France and Russia, Ger
many remains on the defensive, in the
meanwhile perfecting her armament.
The National Gazette, summing up the
situation, ascribes the existing quiet to the
fact that the period has about been reached
when arming on every 81 Q will be ter
minated a d the fever of preparation be re-
placed by a collected calm arising from
conscious readiness to do battle.
On the other hand, in the opinion of the
-Nftttdr Zeitltng and the Krsuz Zeitung
the suggestions of the emperor are pacific,
because the army is iu a state of transition.
new infantry drill regulations and the
radical changes the offences necessary TO
meet recent explosive inventions and the
ref rni in cavalrf weapons combining to
render advisable another year Of prepara-
tUry activity.
BIsMARcK's HEALTH
The uncertainty concerning Prince Bis
marck's health has become n disturbing
factor in the situation. The chancellor was
better at the beginning of the week, but
authentic advices from Friedrchsruhe re-
port that since Wednesday he has suffered
q recurrence OF the gout III severe form. DIR.
SchW Weininger is in attendance upon him,
but at the instance of c unit Albert Biz
Inarck, Dr. Bardeleben saw rim Thursday.
4 rumor that Emperor William secretly
went to Friedrichsruhe is entirely baseles
his everyday movements being open.
Officials here assert that the condition of the
chancellor is in no wlSe serious, alt ough
absence from work for a time is necessary.
Prior to his rela se, Prince Bismarck had
arranged to come to Berlin on Dec 12 to
confer with the emperor before the reopen
ing Of the landtag and reichstag.
The question of making additional state
provision for the imperial family comes up
in the reichstag some time in February.
Apart from his ample income as king Of
Prussia, the allo ance of the emperor from
the imperial funds is only S150,000 yearly.
1t is reported that the chancellor will IN
form the reichstag that an additional $780,
$50 is required owing TO the expenditures
involved in tie increased duties of the head
of the empire. The cons nsus of opinion is,
that some such provision is Necessary, and
that the sum mentioned is reasonable.
DULL COURT SEASON.
The coming court season promises to be
the dullest ever known, owing TO the fact
that the period of mourning for the late
emperor b not expired. There will be no
court balls, and the diplomatic corps win
close their salons. The annual charity sub
scrjption ball at the op0ra house will not be
will be allowed in official or
court circles. The emperor restricts
fetes to the observance of the annual or
densfest on Jan. 20 and the banquet Of tho
Order Of the Black Il gle IN Jan. IS. He
has directed that no celebration be held on
his birthday, Jan. n.
The seriou ness of the emperor's character
is fast impressing the minds Of all classes Of
people
The decision of the Union Club, the lead
ing sporting organization. not tc hold races
Sunday in conformity with the desire Of ;he
emperor, meets with universal approval
throughout Germany, though it has excited
the anger of racing circles in Austria, be-
tween which and the Union Club there have
been close associations.
IMPERIAL TOURS.
Early in February the imperial tours will
be resu ned. This programme has not yet
been decided upon, but the preparations
now being made indicate that the emperor
viii visit Alsace-Lorraine. Count Marshal
Liebenau has been to Strasburg to arrange
for his reception there.
A committee has been formed to erect
memorial to the late Emperor Frederick
on the field of Worth. 1t is expected that
the emperor will be present at the founda-
tion ceremony, and that he will t'ence go
to Belgium and afterward to England.
Copenhagen kilograms refer Indignantly
TO the official reply Of Emperor William TO
the invitation of Flensburg Kriegerverein,
promising to celebrate at Sunderburg, on
June 20, the anniversary Of the capture
of Alsen. Irate Danish papers say
that King Chris ian will resign bis hou-
orary colonelcv of the Uhlans if the en-
peror reminds Donna of her humiliation.
Nobody here believes that the emperor
thinks of offending Denmark because he
IL ...FT