Omaha daily bee., 1895-06-22

procec led slowly down the ilne. the emperor.
in an almrals uniform standing alone on
the bridge, the crews OF all the craft in the
harbor greeting his majesty with loud
cheers.
The great banquet, which practically
wound up the ceremoniss Of opening the
Baltic North sea canal took place this even
ing in the much discussed structure repre-
sen,ing the old German warship Niobe.
About 600 guests participated in the enter
tainment, including the diplomatic represent
atives of the various nations. The banquet
hall was a fac simile Of q huge vessel OF an
Client construction us was IN vogue IN the
Seventeenth century The thee masts each
1870 feet high. were taken from the hulls OF
of the Niobe and Cefon, the earliest two YES
sells Of the infant German navy Of 1850. The
bowsprit formed part Of the Moltke an
other oil vessel. With two topmasts added
the total height Of the mass were 227 feet
The whole structure is Alb feet long and 1872
feet wide The banquet hall measured S3l
x70 feet. One hundred and fl ~ arc lights
furnished the Illumination. During tne whole
of the festivities the Naval orchestra Of the
Second naval division furnished the music.
The French admiral Menard, sat on the en-
pgror's right and the Russian admiral,
Skrydloff sat on his left,
At the conclusion OF the banquet the EN-
peror said: 1T is with delight and pride |
| look around this brilliant festal gathering
and in the name of the high allies bid you all
| heartily welcome.
NOT A NEW IDEA.
I'VE express our heartfelt thanks for the
| good feeling shown toward us on the compile
| tion of the work which was planned in peace
| and i'm peace achieved. 1t was not in our
day that the idea Of uniting the North sea
| to the Baltic by canal was first mooted. Far
| back in tne middle ages we found proposals
and plans to carry out this undertaking. and
in the last century the Elder canal was built
bearing glorious testimony to the productive
| power of that age.
but this was only intended for small YES
| sells, and did not suffice for present needs. II
! was reserved for the newly created German
| empire to complete the great task. My ever
| lamented grandfather, William the Great, II
was who. rightly perceiving the importance
of the canal for the advancement Of the ma
| tona prosperity and the Strengthening ol
cur defensive power, was indefatigabe III
! giving his assistance to promoting the plans
for building a thoroughly serviceable water
way and removing the manifold difficulties IN
the way Of its completion. With pleasure and
full confidence the federal governments anc
| the ReiChStag followed the imperial initiative
and vigorously applied eight years to the
| work which, as 1t advanced toward compile
ton constantly excited public interest in o
greater degree. Everything that mechanical
| science in its highest development was able
| to create; everything that zeal could do
| everything that solicitude for the workmer
| engaged in the construction, in accordance
| with the humane SOClal pOllCy OF our eHp'l
could demand, was given to this work. The
fatherland, therefore may rejoice with m'
and with my high allies over a successful
work accomplished.
I'VE have not, however, labored for ou
home in this alone. In conformity with th'
great civilization of the German people, WI
open to the peaceful intercourse of the ma
tiOns one with another the locks OF TIM
canal; and 1t will be a source Of joyful salts
faction to us if its constant utilization shai
bear us out that the intentions by which w
have been guided have not alone been un
derstood but have also proved fruitful il
advancing the welfare Of the people. TIL
participation in our fetes of the Towe-s who's
representatives we see amongst us and who's
splendid ships we today admired, | acknowi
eige the more readily, as ] believe ! an
right in perceiving therein the complete win
dcatiOn of the effoyts We have always al
rected toward the maintenance of peace
Germany will range the work inaugurate
today on the side of these accepted in tn
service of peace and will esteem hersel
fortunate if the canal, In this sense, fur
theirs and strengthens our friendly relation
with the other powers
II drain my glass to the welfare of tn
worthy sovereign powers"
| At today's ceremony, the young sons o
the prince regent of Brunswick were on dut
with a body guard form company OF tn
First regiment of the guarls. The emperor
fourth son was IN the imperial tent, as wa
also Prince Henrys little son.