The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-27
But to Pay Just Homage to the
Venerable Prince
Bismarck.
PRESENTS A SWORD OF HONOR.
Imposing Beginning OF the CeIebra-
ton of the Ex-ChanCellor'S
Birthday.

upon the eightieth anniversary of his
birth. His Majesty was accompanied by
the Crown Prince, Frederick William,
General Bronsart Won Schellendorf, the
Minister of War, and the officers of his
military household.
The ceremonies attending the visit OF
though marred by showers of rain, were
brilliant and imposing. The crowds
roamed at will through the Sachenwald,
and nearly thousand persons gathered
behind low hedge on the railroad en-
bankment opposite the castle, while others
were grouped along the roadway to
Aumehle, village not far from Fried
richsruhe, and waited patiently in the
drenching showers for the arrival of the
Emperor.
His Majesty and suite left Berlin on a
special train at 80 o'clock this morning
for Friedrichsruhe. He wore the uniform
of the Guards du Corps. AT Aumehle he
left the train, mounted a horse, and, &C
companied by his suite. rode quickly to the
spot selected for the assembling eff the
troops detailed to do honor to Prince Bis
marck. In the meanwhile the imperial
train with the Crown Prince proceeded to
FREDERICKSBURG, and soon after the latter's
arrival there music in the distance an
nounced the approach of the cavalry
headed by his Majesty. Drawn up ready
for his inspection were squadron of Ha-
berstadt cuirassiers, of which regiment
Prince Bismarck is an honorary colonel
the Seventy-sixth Regiment of infantry
and a squadron of the Fifteenth Hussars,
all with their regimental bands, and bat
terry of the Holstein artillery regiment
With the Emperor at its head this force
marched to an open space in Prince Bis
marck's park, and upon arrival there the
troops were deployed in parade order The
approach of his Majesty was the signal for
storm OF "hochs, which was taken up
on all sides with great enthusiasm. The
Crown Prince and his suite, including Gen
eral Count Won Waldersee, had in the
meantime walked to the parade grounds,
and as the Emperor appeared on one side
Prince Bismarcks carriage emerged upon
the ground from the other side. The
Prince wore the uniform of the Haberstadt
Cuirassiers.
When his Majesty caught sight of the
Prince he spurred his horse forward and,
sitting gracefully in his saddle, rode at
fast canter to the carriage of the veteran
statesman and soldier and cordially shook
hands with him.
The Emperor then presented the Crown
Prince and his suite to Prince Bismarck.
Bismarck hurriedly descended from his
carriage, shook hands with the Young
Prince and with the latter re-entered his
carriage. Then, with the Emperor riding
behind it and General Waldersee walking
beside it, the carriage was driven down the
line Of soldiers; the officers saluted, the
troops presenting arms and the bands
playing patriotic airs as the Prince and
Emperor passed.
The Princes carriage was then driven to
the middle of the parade ground, where
Bismarck aEghted. His Majesty took up
position in front of the troops, delivered
an address of congratulation to the
Prince and, in the name of the army, pre-
sented him with a sword of honor of an
tique form, richly embossed and inlaid
with gold. The Emperor, in presenting
the sword of honor to Prince Bismarck.
said
Your Serene Highness: Our whole
fatherland is preparing to celebrate your
birthday. This day belongs to the army,
which is firstly called upon to fete a com
rade, an old officer whose activity placed
the army in a position to achieve the
mighty deeds which found their reward in
the resurrection of the fatherland. The
band of warriors here assembl is symbolic
of the whole army, and above all there is
the regiment calling you chief and whose
colors, dating from the time of the Elector
and hallowed by the blood of Mars la Tour.
are monument to Brandenburg and
Prussian fame.
Your Serene Highness sees in the spirit
ehind this band the whole army in battle
array who celebrate the day with us. In
the presence of this band l come to hand
you gift. l could not find a better weapon
than the sword, the noblest weapon of the
Germans; symbol of that instrument
which you and my blessed grandfather
helped to forge, sharpen and WELD, symbol
OF the great time during which power was
blood.
Iron is a remedy which never fails and
which, in the hands of kings and princes,
will in case of need preserve unity in the
interior of the fatherland, even as when,
applied outside the country, it led to inter
sword the arms of the Reichsland and your
own. May you look upon this as token
of gratitude of deeds recorded in history
which were brought to a conclusion
twenty-five years ago. Let us, comrades,
shout 'Hurrah' for his Serene Highness
Prince Bismarck, Duke of Lauenburg."
Bismarck in reply said: "Will your
Majesty permit me to lay at your feet my
humblest thanks? My military position
toward your Majesty will not allow me to
further express my feelings. thank your
Majesty"
Prince Bismarck, who was deeply moved,
then reseated himself in his carriage and
the Emperor ordered the troops to march
past the Princes carriage. The ex-Chan-
cellor returned the salutes of the troops
with evident pleasure. AT the end of this
ceremony Prince Bismarck thanked the
Emperor for his courtesy and kissed the
Emperor's hand. After this the Prince re-
turned to the castle, stood on the terrace
from which he addressed the delegations
yesterday and the Emperor led the CUR