The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-09-02
ANNIVERSARY OF SEDAN
Inaugural Ceremonies Held at Berlin
Yesterday.
GERMAN-AMERICAN VETERANS
They Hold . Position Of Honor at the
Ceremonies = Tho Emperor Pro.
scented with the Keys Of
the Now Church.

Berlin. Sept. 1.-The inaugural cere-
monies of the celebration Of the
twenty-fifth anniversary OF the battle
Of Sedan. the final engagement OF the
FrancO-Prussian war, was celebrated
today. The programme In this city
included the Inauguration Of the Kais-
er Wilhelm Memorial church with i'm
posing ceremonies. The decorations
of the houses along the principal
streets showed that the citizens had
combined their efforts to produce most
startling effects. The effect was that
there were long lines Of evergreen.
masses Of flowers. and profusion Of
flags and banners.
Thousands of people arrived at an
early hour In the morning and con-
tinued until noon, at which hour the
Berliners were crowded out by the
provincials, who were gazing In ad-
miratioh upon the perfect adOrnment
Of the buildings. The police had taken
extraordinary precautions to avert ac-
cidents similar to those which occurred
In the memorable celebration In 1878.
when many persons were crushed to
death In their endeavors to get near
the schloss.
The weather was clear and bright
throughout the day. Crowds lined the
streets. Galleries were erected oppo-
site to the main entrance to the church
which was occupied by two thousand
girls, attired in light colored dresses.
The house facing the entrance OF the
church, and built In the style OF that
edifice. was covered with decorations.
Troops lined the roadway In front OF
the church, and the German-American
veterans held q position around the
porch commanding the entrance. This
was really the position OF honor.
Address 10 tho Emperor.
When the emperor reached the top
step of the entrance to the church.
Herr Van Wedel, minister Of the royal
house, addressed him, saying: "On the
anniversary Of Gravelotte. the founda-
ton stone of the monument to the
great Kaiser Wilhelm was laid. Now,
on the twenty-fifth anniversary OF Sc
dan, your majesty opens the church
which was built with the funds con-
tributed by the poor and rich equally
throughout the country In memory OF
the emperor who, In his simple and re-
ligious feeling. attributed all his great
deeds and victories TO God, giving US
all In this and coming ages an impress
sive example Of trust and belief In God,
without whose aid we are unable to
succeed May Gods blessing be. open
us all coming into this church. VIII
your majesty now please receive the
key from the architect
The procession then entered the
church headed by the kaiser. After
the ceremonies at the church the en-
peror,, empress and the rest Of the
royal party left the church by the Gen.
ter aisle. After the departure Of the
emperor the high officials left and the
German-American veterans together
with the German Veteran societies.
with their banners. entered the church
and marched up and down the aisles.
Dispatches received here this even
ing show that almost everywhere In
Germany the twenty-fifth anniversary
of the capture Of Sedan from the
French was celebrated with much en-
thusiasm. At Frankfurt on the Main
the celebration was specially note
worthy Eighteen thousand veterans,
with bands and banners, marched to
the geological gardens, where grand
banquet was given. Enormous crowds
gathered along the route, followed by
the veterans, and cheered them again
and again as they passed. In Munich
there was similar celebration.
The city was decorated with flags
and bunting and the streets were
crowded with the inhabitants of the
place and people from the surrounding
towns and villages. Everywhere the
patriotism OF the people found vent In
cheers for the men who took an active
part In the events that led to the found
Ing OF the German empire.