The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-01-20
ZONE EMPIRE-ONE GOD"
=
Emperor William Swears for Ger
many.

ceIeDfatioh OF the |5th Anniversary of the
Procla nation of the German Empire
Imposing aud Brilliant Ceremonies
Gratitude to Rismark,
Berlin, January 18-Today the 25th an
niyersary of the proclamation of the Ger
man Empire was observed as an absolute
holiday in Berlin and other German cit
les. Services were hsld in all Of the
churches and synagogues in the city, and
the public buildings and private houses
we're decorated with flags, the effect of
which, however, Was greatly married by
the drizzling rain and fog which pre-
vailed.
Besides the imperial ceremonies in the
White Hall of the Sohloss, there were
many feasts and ceremonies, public and
private throughout the city. Prof.
Weinhold s. delivered I'M Grafton in the
university this afternoon, and the Acade-
my Glee Club gave concert.
The imperial and Prussian ministers.
together with number of other exalted
persons, assembled in the picture gallery
OF the palace and proceeded to the White
Hall. Shortly after they reached the
White Hall, Prince Hohenlohe announced
the coming of the Kaiser, attended by
the castle guard, with flags and stan
dards, and by courtjers bearing the i'm
perlal scoptre, crown, sword, etc., upon
cushions. The Emperor seated himself
upon the throne, where he was surround
ed by the Prussian Princes. His Majesty
then delivered message to the minis
ters, in which he said he recognized the
duty which devolved upon all of perfect
ing The defensive strength of the empire
and protecting its independence.
A special edition of the Reichsanzeiger,
which was issued for the purpose today,
published decree granting amnesty to
civilian prisoners equally with military
offenders who are undergoing sentences
requiring the payment Of less than 100
marks fine or six weeks imprisonment
The decree also pardons many persons
who are undergoing punishment for lese
majestic.
A new order has been created in honor
of the occasion. the decoration consisting
OF gold portrait of the Emperor's grand
father, William l., with the inscription:
"In Memory Of William the Great. -
The Emperor speaking from tbs throne
in the White Hall, discoursed at length
for the great benefits which the past
quarter OF century had conferred upon
the empire recalling memories of the
period which called the Empire into ex-
istence, and yowing to continue the work
which his grandfather had begun. His
Majesty especially mentioned the merits
Of Prince Bismarck in connection with
the creation of the empire. declaring that
his reward could not be too great. He
promised to work increasingly to COM
plete the internal institutions of the en-
pire and to strengthen the bones v hich
united the German races. Germany, he
SAID, instead of being in danger from
other states. will continue In the future,
as in the past, strong pillar of peace
The Emperor today sent an autograph
letter to Prince Bismarck at Friedrich
ruhe, thanking him for his services to the
empire and promising 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.
The Emperor. after concluding his re-
marks in the White Hall, swore a SOL
emn oath over banner 200 years old, to
guard the empires safety at home and
abroad upon the principle Of one empire,
one people and one God.