Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-06-22
THE GREAT BANQUET,
Which Wound Up the Ceremonies Al
tending the Opening
OF the Baltic-North Sea Canal-A
Brilliant Spectacle and Meal
That Cost Twenty Five Thousand
Dollars-The German Emperor's
Speech as He Drained His Glass.

Haltenau, June 21.-The great ban
quet which practically wound up the
ceremonies of opening the Baltic-North
Sea canal took place this evening in the
much discussed structure representing
the old German warship Niobe. The
banquet hall measured 334 by 81 feet.
One hundred and fifty arc lights fur
nished the illumination and the table
arrangements were entrusted to Bor-
chardt, of Berlin, who receives S25 per
plate, or about $4,000 in all, which
sum includes wines, service and trans
portation. During the whole of the fes-
tiyities the naval orchestra OF the Sec
ond German Naval Division furnished
the music. The French Admiral. Me-
nard. sat on the Emperor's right and
the Russian Admiral SkrydloR, sat on
his left. At the conclusion OF the ban
quet the Emperor said:
1T is with delight and pride that I
look around this brilliant festal gath
ering, and in the name of my high al
lies bid you all, guests of the empire.
heartily welcome.
We express our heartfelt thanks for
the good feeling shown towards us on
the completion Of the work which WIS
planned in reaco and In peace achieved
and to-day opened to general traffic. 1t
was not in our day that the idea Of
uniting the North sea with the Baltic
by canal was first moOted. Far back
IN the middle ages We find proposals
and plans to carry out this Undertaking.
and In the last century the Elder canal
was built, bearing glorious testimony
oI me productive power OF that age.
But this was only intended for small
vessels, and did not suffice for present
needs. 1t was reserved fol. the newly
created German empire to complete the
great task. My ever lamented grand
rather, William the Great, it was who
rightly perceiying the Importance of
the canal for the advancement of the
national prosperity and the strengthen
ing OF our defensive power, was inde-
fatigable in giving his assistance to
promoting the plans of building a thor
oughly serviceable water way, and re-
moving the manifold difficulties in the
way Of its completion.
We have not, however, labored for
our own home interests alone. In con-
formity with The great civilization of
the German people, we open to the
peaceful intercourse Of the nations. one
with another, the locks of this canal.
and it will be a source Of joyful salts
faction to us If its constant utilization
shall bear witness that the intentions
by which we have been guided have
not alone been understood, but have
also proved fruitful in advancing the
welfare Of the peoples.
THE participation in our fetes OF the
powers whose representatives we see
among us. and whose splendid ships we
to-day admire, I acknowledge more
readily. as I believe am right in per-
ceiving therein the cOmDlete vindica-
tion of the afforts we have always di-
rected toward the maintenance Of
peace. Germany will range the work
inaugurated to-day on the side OF those
accomplished in the service of peace.
and Will esteem herself fortunate if tbs
canal in this sense. fur,hers and
strengthens our friendly relations with
the other powers.
Il drain nay glass to the welfare Of
the wealthy sovereign powers"