The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-05-11
A SPLENDID SOLDIER
Emperor William Honors Lance
Cornoral Leuck.
PRESENTED WITH HIS PORTRAIT.

Attempts TO Keep the Action of the
Emperor "a Secret-The Publication
Produces a Sensation-Bittcr Com
mcnts Over the Enpcror's Defiance
of Public Opinion.
BERLIN, May 11.-Several newspapers
publish the details of remarkable scene
at the barracks of the Emperor Francis
Joseph regiment last Saturday night,
when Emperor William was entertained
at a banquet in the officers casino. The
emperor drank freely, and spoke to his
neiShbors of the necessity of a sol liers
forgetting during his service that he had
any duties except to his war lord and
country. Finally the emperor called to
a private at the entrance: "Call in
Leuck. l have something to say to him. -
To most of the officers the words were
complete surprise, as Lueck is the
sentry who killed one citizen and
wounded another in the Wrangle Strasse
weeks ago. The case had been investi-
gated, and Lueck, at the emperor's in
stance had, been promoted to be lance
corporal. Even among military men
the opinion prevailed that the affair
should be dropped out of sight as soon
as possible, for the shooting and pro-
motion cauted a storm of Indignation
throughout the empire and several dep
uties are known TO be ready to raise an
other storm in the reiChstag when that
body assemblies.
In the pause which followed the call
for Leuck the emperor explained that
he was about to reward the lance cor
poral for his faithfulness to duty, and
wished all the officers present to show
exceptional respect for the young man.
When Leuck entered the officers and
guests followed the emperor in rising,
and Leuck was ordered to stand facing
his sovereign. The emperor then took
his seat, and while the rest stood ad-
dressed Leuck thus:
''Leuck, you are a splendid soldier.
You maintained, us u sentry of the
Third regiment Of the guards to Wran-
gel Strasse, the best traditions of my
army, its discipline and honor. l hope
that every soldier will follow your ex-
ample on similar occasions and will
have the same clear understanding of
his duties towards me, my army and
himself. Leuck, you are an honor to
your regiment and your merit shall not
go unrewarded.
The emperor ordered that glass of
wine he given to Leuck, and all present
under the command OF the emperor
drank to Leuck's health. The emperor
then had fetched his portrait bearing
his autograph and presented it to Leucix.
The lance corporal blushed and saluted,
and was then allowed to retire. This
astounding scene was kept secret, as the
opinion of all present, even of those
sympathiZing with the emperor's senti-
ments, was that this young war lord had
done an exceedingly unpolitic act, and
that the country was hardly in condi-
ton to discuss it calmly.
The emperor, however. was appar-
entity determined to let his people know
his sentiments, for at the Paradeon, the
Tempel Hoeferdel. he unexpectedly APP
pearcd on horseback and rode up before
Leucks regiment and called out the
young man. He repeated his com
mendation of Saturday night, expressed
the hope that Leuck's comrades would
prove as faithful to their soldierly du-
ties as had the lance corporal, AMI
closed by nominating LeuGl for ex-
emption.
This speech, together with an account
of what took place in the officers casino
OH Saturday night was published by Tire
newspapers yesterday. The publiea-
tion, with but few exceptions, was nc
cOmpanied with bitter comments upon
the emperor's apparent effort to en-
phasize his defiance of public opinion
The Norwaerts, FrissniGe ZrituHg
Boersen- Courier and the kreuZ Zcituug
are especially severe.