The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-19
FETES IN GERMANY
The 18th Anniversary of the Growing
of King William |. Celebrated.
MESSAGE OF THE EMPEROR
All Over the Empire the Event Was
Gaily Observed In Some Form
Other-Amnesty to Short
Term Offenders.

Berlin. Jan. 1s.-Throughout the Ger
man empire to-day the 25th anniver-
sary of the crowning at Versailles of
King William of Prussia, grandfather
of the present emperor. as emperor of
Germany and the consequent re-estab-
hshment of the German empire was cell
ebrated in some form or other. The
great event was the gathering in the
White Hall of the castle, where the
emperor. surrounded by ministers of
state, generals of the army, admirals
| of the navy members of the diplomatic
corps, kings and princes all in glitter
ing uniform, read a message from the
throne. An extra edition of the Reisch-
anzieger, published in honor of the
day. the 25th anniversary of the rees-
| tablishment of the German empire, the
| imperial decree forestalled yesterday
| by the socialist organ, Voerwaerts.
The decree grants amnesty TO offend
| ers whose sentences do not exceed six
weeks Imprisonment or $50 marks fine.
Those only are excepted who are guilty
of insulting their superiors, ill-treating
their interiors or desertion. The re-
script begins with the remark that the
emperor intends also to pardon mill
tary offenders. 1t is therefore pre-
sumed the imperial pardon will be ex-
tended to OWL offenses and cases of
conviction for lese majestic.
The imperial decree further announ-
ces the foundation of a new Pr1ssian
order, the William Order, which will
be conferred upon men and women
who render prominent service in ad-
vancing the welfare and culture Of
the people in accordance with the rec
concentrations contained in the mes
sage of Emperor William l. The first
recipients of the order are the empress,
ex-Empress Frederick, grand duchess
OF Baden and Sake Weimar, Prince
Bismarck DIR. MIGUEL, minister of
finance, and Baron Won Borlepsch. min
lister of commerce.
The anniversary was celebrated by
DEGREES published at the instances of
the secretary and of culture and wor-
ship in Prussia, Saxony, Bavaria, Wur-
temburg Baden, Hesse. and the other
German states, and all the schools in
the empire suitably observed the day
by applauding patriotic addresses de-
livered by the principals and teachers,
and by recitations and singing. In Ber-
lin, as well as in all other large cities,
the municipalities and citizens made
preparations for the day. Stores were
closed and business was suspended
from noon to-day
The principal event was the celebra-
ton under the emperor's lead in Ber-
lin. The fete at the white hall of the
Schloss began at 1915 o'clock a. m. in
the presence Of the highest dignitaries
FAf ha ira old AL
of the reichstag, bundezrath and diet
and of all the survivors of those who
were members of these bodies in 1870
II. The jewel-studded insignia of the
empire-crown, sceptre and globe, were
borne by dignitaries standing on both
sides of the throne. The festival at the
palace was attended by the empress
and ex-Empress Frederick and the four
eldest princes. The statues of EN-
peror William and Frederick were
crowned with laurels.
When the emperor entered the white
hall Baron Won Buolberenberg, presi-
dent of the reichstag. called for cheers
for his majesty. These were given
heartily and his majesty then read the
message from the throne as follows:
1--WE, William, by the grace OF God,
German emperor and king of Prussia.
etc, make known and herewith pub
licly declare that rs years have elapsed
since the day when his majesty, our
grandfather, now resting with God, an
swering the appeal of the German
prince and free towns and the desire of
the nation, assumed the dignity of en-
peror, we have decided TO celebrate the
memory Of this remarkable event which
brought financial and brilliant fulfill
ment of the aspirations which the Ger
man people entertained so long and Of
fered the restored empire the position
to which 1t was entitled among the
nations OF the world by it's history, its
development and culture. For this pur-
pose we have summoned the plenipo-
tentiaries of our mighty allies and the
representatives of the powers and also
the men who, at that great epoch.
prominently contributed to the work of
the union of the German people. Sur
rounded by the flags and standards of
the glorious regiments. the witnesses
of the death-defying courage of our
armies which greeted the first emperor
made, we recall to memory, with much
stirred heart. the devoted picture which
the fatherland in the union of its
princes and nations then presented"
His majesty then thanked Provi-
dence that the past % years had be-
slowed blessing upon the empire, and
declared that his grandfather's VOW 10 /
protect the rights Of the empire and |
preserve peace has 50 far, with Gods /
help. been fulfilled. The emperor also
alluded to the work achieved by the |
German nation for the last IS years
under the direction OF Its great en-
peror" and the advice of its tried /
statesmen and more particularly OF its !
chancellor, Prince Bismarck. Con
scious Of the fact that. while favorfng
no one and inJuring no one. the en-
pire has been called upon 10 raise its |
voice before the nations in favor Of