The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-22
THE GREAT BANQUET.
Speech by Emperor William Review
ing the Work on the Canal.


The great banquet which practically
wound up the ceremonies of opening the
Baltic-North sea canal took place this even
ing in the much discussed structure repre-
senting the old German war ship Niobe
About one thousand guests participated in
the entertainment. including the diplomatic
representatives of the various nations. The
banquet hall was a fac-simile OF huge
vessel Of ancient construction as in vogue
in the seventeenth century. The three
masts, each 100 feet high. were taken from
the bulls OF the Niobe and Gefion. the
earliest two vessels of the infant German
navy of 1850. The bowsprt formed part OF
the Moltke, another old vessel. With the
two topmasts added the total height Of the
mssts were 2z7 feet The whole structure
was 4l3 feet long and 132 feet wide. The
banquet hall measured Ss3 by 81 feet: 15O arc
lights furnished the illumination and the
table arrangements were intrusted TO
Burchardt. of Berlin, who received SIS per
plate. or about $4,000 in all, which sum in
cluded wines. services and transportation
During the whole of the festivities the
naval orchestra of the Second German
Naval Division furnished the music. The
French admiral. Menard. sat on the En-
peror's right and the Russion admiral,
Skeydloff, sat on his left At the con-
clusion OF the banquet the Emperor said:
1T is with delight and pride that look
around this brilliant festal gathering and,
In the name of my high allies. bid you all.
express our heartfelt thanks for the good
feeling shown toward us on the completion
in peace achieved and to-day opened to
general traffic. IL was not in our day that
the idea OF uniting the North 10 the
Baltic BY. a canal was first mooted. Far
back In the middle ages we ind proposals
and plans to carry out this undertaking.
built, bearing glorious testimony to the
productive power of that age. But this was
only intended for small vessels and did
not suffice for present needs. 1t was re-
served for the newly created German empire
70 complete the great task. My ever-lament-
VINO, rightly perceiving the Importance of
the canal for the advancement of the ma
our defensive power, was Interchangeable in
giving his assistance TO promoting the plans
OF building thoroughly serviceable water
in the way OF its completion. With pleas
ure and full confidence the federal govern
perial initiative and vigorously applied eight
years to the work winch. as II advanced
t toward completion constantly excited public
that technical science in its highest devel-
opment was able to create; everything
d Oa everything that soefude c0f for
the workmen engaged in the construc-
ton. in accordance with the humane social
given to this work. The fatherland there
fore, may rejoice with me and with my high
vallies over successful work accomplished.
I'VE have not, however, labored Tor our
own home interests alone. In conformity
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 1T will be source Of
utilization shall bear witness that the in
tentions by which We have been guided
have not alone been understood bit have
also proved fruitful in advancing he well
fare of the peoples. The participation In
our fetes by the powers whose representa-
ships ships we se today admired a / " ackno@iedge
the more readily, as / believe / am right
In perceiving therein the complete vlndica-
toward the maintenance of peace. Germany
will range the work inaugurated to-day on
the side OF those aeeompilsned IN tne f seTv
nate IL the canal. in this sense, furthers
and strengthens our friendly relations with
the other powers. / drain my glass TO the
welfare of the wealthy sovereign POWERS.
At to-day's ceremony the young sons OF
the Prince Regent of Brunswick we're on
duty with a bodyguard from company
of the First Regiment Of the Guards. The
Emperors fourth was in the Imperial
tent as was also Prince Henrys little son.
The Kaiser on an English snip.
LONDON, June 22.-The Times corre-
spondent at Kiel telegraphs that after the
naval review the Emperor donned the uni
form of British admiral and visited the
Royal Sovereign. the British flagship, where
he was received by the two admirals and
the captains OF the British fleet and brill
liant assemblage of royal and il;ustrious
personages. The British and German flags
were hoisted and a salute fired. both upon
his coming and departing. The Emperor
remained an hour and infinitely inspected
every portion of the ship. especially the
gunsl He takes the German fleet TO sea.
at tomorrow morning. for series or
evolut.ons.
The Posts Kiel correspondent is informed
that most of the large vessels scraped the
ground several times on the passage
through the canal. some OF them remain
ing fast a considerable time.
The Daily Newss account from Holtenau
saws that the spot where the laying of the
keystone of the canal occurred Is only
few steps from the point where the late
Emperor William l laid the foundation
stone. Corversiug with a number OF Jour-
naiists Admiral Menard in command OF
the French squadron said: IL am very
happy to see that this festival Of peace has
%aEa bril- ant a without having