The herald., 1896-01-19
IN THE KA|SER'S REALMS
Anniversary of King Williams
Coronation
BY THE IMPERIAL DECREE
Amnesty Is Granted to Imprisoned
Political Offenders
BY THE IMPERIAL DECREE
The Emperor Reads the Hessage From the
Throne, Giving Thanks for Blessings
Vouchsafed Germany
ted Press Special Wire

XE sAssoCidtou TEcbS opeCldl Nlre
BERLIN, Jan. 1S.-[ copyrighted, 1896,
by the Associated Press. Throughout the
German empire today the 25th auniver-
sary of the crowning at Versailles of King
William of Prussia, grandfather of the
present emperor, as emperor of Germany,
and consequent re-establIshment of the
German empire, was celebrated in some
form or other. A great event was the
gathering in the white hall of the castle,
where the emperor, surrounded by minis
ters of state, generals of the army, admir-
ais of the navy, members of the diplomatic
corps, kings and princes, all in gIittering
uniforms, made speech from the throne.
He declared his grandfathers vow to pro-
tect the rights of the empire and preserve
peace had so far been fulfilled. He APP
Realed to all sections to sink party differ
ences and support him in protecting the
greatness and prosperity OF the fatherland.
An extra edition of Reichsanzeiger today
J publishes, in honor of the day, the twenty
fifth anniversary of the re-establishment
of the German empire, an imperial decree
forestalled yesterday by the socialist organ.
Voewaerts. The decree grants amnesty to
offenders whose sentences do not exceed
six weeks imprisonment, or 15O marks
! fine. Those only are excepted who are
guilty of insulting their superiors, ill-treat-
ing their interiors or desertion. The re-
| script begins with the remark that the
emperor intends also to pardon military
offenders. 1t is, therefore. presumed inn
perial pardon will be extended to civil
offenses and cases of conviction for lese
majestic. The imperial decree further
)announces the foundation OF the new Prus-
sian order, the William order, which will
be conferred upon men and women who
render prominent service in advancing the
welfare and culture of the people, in ac-
eordance with recommendations contained
J in the message of Emperor William l. The
first recipients of the order are the en-
press, ex-Empress Frederick, grand
duchess of Baden and SAKE, Weimar,
Prince Bismarck, DR.. Mique, minister of
finance, and Baron Won Borlepsch, minis
ter OF commerce.
The anniversary was celebrated by
decree published at the instance of the Sec
retaries of culture and worship in Prussia,
Saxony, Bavaria. Wurtemburg, Baden
Hesse ard the other German states. and all
the schools of the empire celebrated the
day by applauding patriotic addresses de-
~ livered by the principals and teachers, and
by recitations and singing. In Berlin as
we'll as in ali other large cities, the munich
palities and citizens had made preparat ations
tor the day. Stores were closed and bus-
ness suspended from noon today. The
principal event was the celebration under
The eInperor's lead in Berlin.
n The fete at the white hall of the Schloss
(which was preceded by services in the
lchunrches) began at 1O:45 a. IN. in the
presence of the highest dignataries of the
empire, as we'll as old delegates of the
ireichstag, Bundesrath and diet, and of all
the survivors of those who were members
of these bodies in 1901. The jewel
studded insignia of the emperor, crown,
scepter and globe we're 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.
IN The statues of Emperors William and
Frederick were crowned with laurel.
When the emperor entered the white
hall Baron Won Boulberenberg, president
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:
We, William, by the grace of God, Ger
man emperor and king of Prussia, etc.,
make known and herewith publicly declare
that twenty five years having elapsed since
the day when his majesty, our grandfather,
now resting with God answering the appeal
of the German princes ard free towns and
thedesire OF the nation, assumed the dig
nifty of emperor, we have decided to cele-
brate the memory of this remarkable
event, which brought a signal and brilliant
fulhllment to the aspirations which the
German people entertained long, and
offered the restored empire the position to
which it was entitled among the nations of
the world by its history, its development
and culture. For this purpose we have
summoned the plenipotentiaries of our
I mighty allies and the representatives of
I the powers, and also those men who at that
great epoch prominently contributed to the
z kwork of the union of the German people.
ey ''Surrounded by the flags and standards
OF the glorious regiments, the witnesses of
the death-defyng courage of our armies
i which greeted the first emperor made, we
4 call to memory with much stirred heat the
dauntah DintI1ra which thn fof nrIo nd in,
Il the union of its princes and nations then
Il presented
n His majesty then thanked Providence
that the past twenty-four years had be-
slowed blessings upon the empire, and de-
clared that his grandfather's vow to pro-
tect the rights OF the empire and to pre-
serve peace had SO far, with Gods help,
been fulfilled. The emperor also alluded
10 the work achieved by the German ma
tion for the last twenty-five years under
kyhe direction of ''its great emperor'' and
the advice of it's tried statesmen, and most
II par icularly of it's chancellor, Prince Bis
, marck.
"Conscious of the fact that while favor
ing no one and injuring no one the empire
has been called upon to raise its voice be-
fore the nations in favor of peace, the
young empire has been able to devote it.
self undisturbed to internal development.
Besides development of our army, which
it is our imperial duty to maintain to the
the independence of the fatherland, our
administrative bodies have been solctous
of the welfare of the people -
The emperor then appealed to all sec
tons to sink party differences and support
(\shm in promoting 1.-THE greatness and pros
Y perity of our fatherland."
He added: I'VE shall then be able to OPP
pose unitedly and solidy any attacks upon
our independence, and devote ourselves
undisturbed to the cultivation of our in
terests.
"But the German empire is far from be-
ing in danger from other states, and it is
i enjoying the respect of the nations. and
will continue in the future, as in the past,
a strong pillar of peace.
THAT this may be so, may God grant -
The reference in the emperor's message
to Prince Bismarck and to peace were
heartily applauded. His majesty, after he
had concluded reading the message. siezed
the standard of the First regiment of
(>vguards and exclaimed: I'm view of these
%enerable colors, which have a glorious
History of 200 years, renew the vow to