Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1896-01-24
JOYFUL GERMANY.
The Empire Celebrates Its Twenty
Fifth Anniversary.
Emperor William in His Speech
Praises Prince Bismarck-Cele-
bration at New York.

Berlin, Jan. 1s.-Saturday the 25th
anniversary of the proclamation OF
the German empire was observed
as an absolute holiday in Berlin
and other German cities. Services
were held i'll all the churches and syna-
gogues in the city, and the public build
ings and private houses were decorated
with flags, the effect of which, how
ever, was greatly married by the driz-
cling rain and fog which prevailed. Be
sides the imperial ceremonies in the
white hall of the Schloss, there were
many feasts and ceremonies, public and
private, throughout the city.
Grants Amnesty to Prisoners.
A special edition of the Reichsanzei-
ger, which was issued for the purpose,
publishes decree granting amnesty
to civilian prisoners equally with mill
tary offenders who are undergoing SEN
fences requiring the payment of less
than $50 marks fine, or six weeks i'm
prisonment. The decree also pardons
many persons who are undergoing pun
ishment for lese majestic.
New Order Created.
A new order has been created. in
honor of the occasion, the decoration
consisting of gold portrait of the
emperor's grandfather, William l., with
the inscription: I'm memory of Will
liam the Great" The decoration is to
be worn upon a neck chain. The first
recipients of the order were the en-
peror, the empress, ex-Empress Fred
erick, the grand duchess of baden, the
king of SaXony, Countess of Waldersee,
Prince Bismarck, DR.. MIGUEL, minister
OF finance, and Freiherr Won Berlepsch,
minister of commerce.
The emperor has bestowed the order
of the Black Eagle upon former minis
tiers Camphausen and Delboueck.
Praises for Prince Bismarck.
The emperor, speaking from tic
throne in the white hall, discoursed at
length, expressing his heartfelt thanks
for the great benefits which the past
quarter of century had conferred
upon the empire, recalling memories
of the period which called the en-
pire into existence, and vowing to con-
tinue the work which his grandfa-
ther, Emperor William l., had begun.
His majesty especially mentioned the
merits of Prince Bismarck in connec-
ton with the creation of the empire,
declaring that his regard could not
be too great. He promised to worn
increasingly to complete the internal
strengthen the bonds which united the
German races. Germany, he said, in
stead of being in danger from other
states, will continue, in the future
as in the past, u strong pillar of peace.
The emperor Saturday sent an auto.
graph letter to Prince Bismarck at
FREDERICKSBURG, thanking him for his
services to the empire, and prolnis-
ing to have made life size, full length
| portrait of the prince as souvenir
| of his memorable efforts in behalf of
the emperor and the empire, and to
assign the picture to place of honor
in the official residence of the imperial
| chancellor.
| William Swears to Guard the Empire.
The emperor, after concluding his
| remarks in the white hall, swore a
solemn oath over a banner 200 years
old, to guard the empire safely at home
and abroad, upon the principle of one
empire, one people, one God.
The members of the conservative.
| free conservative, and anti-semite
parties Saturday met and passed res
olutions of thanks for the foundation
of the empire, and expressing hope that
it may live for MANI years.
Celebration at New York.
New York, Jan. 1S.-The celebration
of the 25th anniversary of the birth of
the German empire took place Saturday.
The German element in this city joined
heartily in the celebration for which
they had made ample preparations.
The German-Amcrican citizens had ar
ranged for complete series of festivi.
ties, and programmes for both out
door and indoor exercises had been
prepared by the several committees.
The list of events included concerts,
singing feasts, banquets and special
performances. A musical festival took
place at Carnegie l.all at night. "Beis-
| dan" was presented.