Evening star., 1895-08-22
Germans Of This City to Observe the
Anniversary.
TWENTY-FIVE YEaBgAETER THEEVENT
Veterans of the Franco-Geman
War to Be Assembled.
THE PROGRAM ADOPTED

Monday night, September 2, veterans of
the Franco-Germdn war of 1870 residing in
Washington, together with many German
citizens, will celebrate the capture of
Sedan, together with the Emperor Napo-
leon, which momentous events occurred
September 2, twenty-five years ago.
The celebration is not intended to be in
the least degree an affront to the French.
1t was thought by DIR. Christian Straek,
well-known German newspaper correspond
ent, whose home is at the national capital,
and who took part in a number of the
great battles during those stirring times,
that suitable celebration of the event
would serve to bring more closely together
those of the survivors on the German side
who can be conveniently reached. This
idea was broached to a number Of leading
German citizens, and they heartily In
dorsed the plan and will enter with spirit
into the observance of the day.
A Call to the Veterans.
Feeling encouraged by these evidences of
approval on the part of his friends. DR..
Straek, few weeks ago, published notice
in one of the German papers Of the city in
viting all persons in Washington who took
part in the Franco-German war to meet
him on an evening appointed at Arion Hail.
Only few veterans responded; but inquiry
among these led to the discovery of the
whereabouts of Others and at second
meeting there were sixteen present.
Among the number was one old soldier
who had been comrade of DR.. Straek and
In the same company of the 1l6th Hess1an
regiment of the ninth corps 'armee, which
was under the command of Prince Freder-
lex Karl, a nephew of the great Emperor
William, the corner stone Of whose monu-
ment was laid with such imposing cere-
mony by the present Emperor Of Germany
Sunday last. The two comrades had not
ap, ~fv, thnyy tod of fhn
close of the Franco-German war, and the
reunion under such favorable circum-
stances was especially agreeable to both.
The question as to whether celebration
of the victory at Sedan could be construed
to be meant as an insult to the French
was very fully discussed at the second
meeting and the decision was finally ar
rived at that as the world at large had not
criticised the Germans when they cele-
brated the declaration of peace In 1870.
there could be no reasonable objection to
the observance Of the capture of Sedan
in the manner proposed by those having
the present celebration in charge.
The Deutscher JCentralverein.
The next step taken was the appointment
of a committee to attend meeting of the
"Deutschcr Centralverein," a union COM
posed of delegates from more than twen-
ty of the leading German societies of
Washington and ascertain if their cooper
ationmould be secured. This organization
apprS I'd the plan and entered into the
spirit of the affair with the greatest en-
thusiasm, the members pledging them
selves to do all in their power to make the
celebration a success
Up to this time it had not been fully
determined upon what date to have the
oelebra ton, but at the meeting of the
Centralverein it was voted that Septem-
bef would be most appropriate.
Since then the arrangements incident to
the proper observance of the occasion have
L. f9-f0
der the direction of a committee of ar
ranEements, composed of the veterans of
the war and representatives of the Cen
tralverein.
While the program has not been entirely
completed, the following details have been
agreed upon, and will be carried out as
stated.
The General Program.
The meeting will take place in Brick
layers Hall, corner of TIN ard l. streets
northwest The assembiage will be called
to order by Mr.. Rudolf Faur, president of
the Deutscher Centralverein. After this
the veterans. who. meanwhile, will have
been waiting in one of the smaller rooms.
will enter the main hall, the audience re-
ceiving them standing. After quiet shall
have been restored President Faur will,
1t is likely, ask one of them to preside
during the evening. Two of the German
singing societies-the Saengerbund and
be present, and it is expected the Ger
mania Maennerchor, which has also been
invited to attend, will likewise be present.
These societies, with band, which has
been engaged, will have charge of the
vocal and Instrumental music. or course
the hall will be appropriately decorated
with flags and bunting.
The songs to be rendered will be the ma
tional airs of Germany and America, the
singing concluding with the rendition in
grand style of the Star Spangled Ban
ner" led by the members of the three So
cieties named above, with the entire audi
ence joining in the chorus.
Other features will be the recitation of
an appropriate poem by Mr.. Joseph Colig
non and the reading of an original poem
by Mr.. Frank Claudy.
Toasts mt the Banquet.
Following the musical and literary parts
of the celebration there will be banquet.
During the progress of this affair, which is
expected to be something more than ordi-
narily fine, three toasts will be offered. as
follows: 1.-The day we celebrate" Not that
we wish to rejoice over the defeat of the
French. but we do rejoice that through
Sedan the unification of the German en-
pire became complete, and Germany took
the proud position before the world that
she today occupies response by w. l..
Eltarch. Second. 1.-The contrast between
the influence that Is exerted by the Ger
man empire of today and how that power
was regarded by the great nations of the
world before the Franco-German war took
place." response by DR.. Christian Straek.
Third. German women in peace and war;;
response by Rev. E. Drewitz.
How the Army Received the News.
Speaking of the effect of the news of the
fall of Sedan and the capture of the
French emperor on the German troops
with whom he was then serving, surround
ing Metz, DR.. Straek said: ''In those times
comparative ely recent as they were-there
was not so much disposition to let one part
of the army know what another was doing
as there is at the present day." The battle
of Sedan was fought Saturday. The next
morning being Sunday, the army not in
immediate service was assembled in the
field in a great hollow square to attend di-
vine worship, conducted by the headquar-
ters chap ain, whose name was the same
as my own, though we were not related
The troops sang a hymn, as requested. The
chaplain followed with a sermon, accom-
panied by the usual number of prayers, and
at the close of the exercises an officer
dressed in the uniform of dragon, rode
into the square, and after a short speech
said in a loud tone of voice: "A great battle
took place yesterday at the fortress of Sc