New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-10
THE DEAD GERMAN EMPEROR
LAST HOURS OF AN nLUsrR1oUs LIFE

EMFEhOh HAILED AS tkEDFhiCh
HI-MoURNrNG IN EURO
PEAN COURrs-TRfB-
UTEs TO THE
KAISER
BERLIN, March 9,-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 condition of the Crown Prince and about
political and military affairs.
On 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 Emperor spoke clearly, and thanked
the Chancellor for his services to the country.
Increased feebleness soon followed, attended
with delirium. His voice became feebler and
feebler, finally sinking to a whisper
ATTHE DYING MoNARCHs BEDSIDE.
At 5 o'clock he Was SO weak that the members
of the family, Prince Bismarck and Count Won
Motlxe and the servants Of the household gath
cred around the bed The Emperor, supported
by the doctors, held the hand Of his wife on one
side and his daughters hand on the other Prince
William stood alone at the head of the couch,
Chaplain Koege spoke few words of consola-
tion, to which the Emperor whispered occasional
responses
At 5 80 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 matters.
to the astonishment of both his listeners He then
referred to Germanys alliances with various coun-
tries and the possibility Of war. But during the
latter portion of his remarks the fantasies of de-
lrium were gled with coherent utterances.
This temporary recovery of strength lasted un-
til 0 o'clock. At frequent intervals he conversed
in touching earnest manner with those about
him.
Between 10 and o'clock he appeared to sleep.
PASSING PAINLEssLY AWAY.
At about o'clock it was observed that serious
change was beginning to take place in the En-
peror's face, although there again slight
improvement in his condition. But at o'clock it
was seen that the Emperor's last moments were
near the members Of his family were again sum-
moned to his bedside, and at $3.50 the doctors
declared that he dead.
The Emperor died holding the Empress's hand.
He had been in stupor since three o'clock, dur
ing which he is reported to have exclaimed: II
am a man of peace but if Russia forces mo to war
shall faithfully side with my ally, Austria"
Eye-witnesses of the scene state that during
the last few hours of his life though partly con-
scious, he suffered no pain. The Emperor was
in half sitting position camp bedstead.
All the members of the royal family took places
at the bedside.
The room was crowded.
Prince William stood nearest the Emperor,
half bending over the couch. ic earnestly
watched the face of the dying monarch until he
expired.
During the last thirty-sX hours, says one ac-
count, the Emperor was drowsy, derious and
conscious alternately, starting at times ex-
citedly to make remarks relative to family or
political matters Once he mistook Prince Bis
marcl for the Crown Prince, and taking his |
hand, pleaded that he would always be kind TO |
the Car. He afterward recognized Prince Bis |
marcl and expressed in broken sentences his |
satisfaction with the Austro- German alliance. |
During the last moments the Emperor did not
suffer. His face wore tranquil, almost smiling
expression. A few minutes before his death the |
Emperor exclaimed:
Fritz! dear Fritz"
The evening papers contain what are reported |
to be the last words spoken by the Emperor. |
They
Alexander has promised me that he will |
not make war against u.s.
It is reported that the Emperor also said:
Il am convinced that we ought not to go TO |
war with Russia, toward whom the most friendly |
attitude ought to be adopted"
The Emperor's body lies covered with white !
cloth on the bedstead which he died in the
Imperial Chamber 1t is surrounded with can
dies The expression of the face is extremely |
peaceful and placid.
The members of the royal family left the
palace at 10 o'clock.
The body of the Emperor will be placed in
the Mausoleum at Charlottenburg
LAST HOURS OF THE DEAD EMPEROR
Ono Of those who were present IN the sick
chamber during the Emperor's last days said that
Yesterday evening when the Emperor awoke from
the heavy swoon into which he had fallen Chap
lain Koegel offered up prayer. which consisted
mostly of selections from the Bible. The En-
peror interrupted him frequently with the words
Tbat,s richts and pGoodis When the Duchess