The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-12-31
OUR berlin CABLE LITTER
CHRISTMAS FITTINGLY OBSERv-
ED-FESTIVITIES WITH THE
IMPERIAL HOUSEHOLD.
INSTANCE OF military BRUTALITY.
This Time Small Boy Was Hacked by
an Officers Sword-The Emperor's
Criticism of Dock Strikers.
Other Items.

| Berlin, lee. -O.-lIOpytlSuleu,l SJO. ny
| the Associated Press. )-ChTistmas eve.
which is the principal festival Of Christ
mas tide in Germany, was celebrated III
the usual quiet manner by Christians
and Hebrews alike, the latter having
trees on which We're lights, apples, nuts,
ginger bread etc. There were Christmas
trees not only in every family but in the
hospitals, public institutions, asylums,
soup kitchens, casualty wards and bar
racks. Snow fell and made the streets
indescribably filthy.
Business has been remarkable good, and
though a festal mood was manifest, it
was with the absence Of the note of I'M
easiness and dissatisfaction usually pres
ent.
| At the palace of Potsdam the festivi-
ties began with the empress children pre-
senting gifts TO the servants. The Christ
mas trees of the court were lighted up
at ) o'clock in the beautiful hall of shells.
| At one end of the hall stood the en-
press at table on which were many
| works of art, and near by the emperors
table with his numerous presents, includ-
ing a tall carved clock from the Grand
Duchess of Baden. a goblet and Il wine
| jug of finely carved silver.
The children's tables, standing Al the
other end of the hall, had over them their
trees, the smaller of the princess, Veto
Ma, and then, little higher, were tables
lad trees for each of the children up 10
ne crown prince. The tables were crowd
| ed with playthings, books and useful
! presents. The emperor was somewhat Sc
rious in his demeanor. but the empress
was in good spirits and the children We're
full of delight.
In the barracks everything was astr
| After religious service the rooms were
decorated and the presents arranged. AS
the officers entered the men sang in
| chorus, and each soldier then received a
present In some regards the men We're
allowed TO choose pipes, clothing, writ
ing desks, purses and each man also re-
ceived q basin of goodies and some
cigars from his commander.
In each barrack the commander spoke
as follows to the soldiers:
The soldier shall also know that
Christmas is festival of love. What
you had at home with your parents nave
Also with the troops In the face of these
brightly burning candles and gifts OF
love, remember, each of you, his oath
which he swore to his emperor and each
renew this oath TO be an obedient. faith
| full, jealous soldier upon whom the COM
mander-in-chief can fully rely
In spite of the Christmas truce, the
POLITICAL controversy and social chickering's
coming from the Won Tausch trial is still
the center of interest. The preliminary
inquiry into the conduct of the former
commissioner of detectives, charged with
libel and four-fold perjury, is assuming
considerable dimensions. Nor Las Won
Bruesowitz, the lieutenant who killed Il
peaceful mechanic for accidentally knock,
ing against his chair in cafe, been for
gotten, particularly in view of another
case of military brutality reported from
Stargard, in which an officer, who, ac-
cording to his own account, was attacked
BY street urchins, drew his sword and
chased the children. One Of them STUN
head by the officer. The boy in question
is new suffering from conclusion of the
brain and severe scalp wounds. The af-
fair is causing the liveliest indignation
References to the lockers strike III
Germany occupy prominent place in the
reports of peace and good will published
BY the press. Two strike meetings were
held at Hamburg yesterday and the so
eialiSt deputies urged the men TO continue
!, the ight. Further meetings with the
same object in view were held today
The dispute seems to be taking turn
less favorable 20 the employers than was
! likely week ago. In view of the holt
, days a number of workmen VINO had
taken strikers places have left Hamburg
and it is now said that they will not re,
turn. Some of the employees are trying
| to come to terms with their own men
Considerable irritation continues every
where at the emperor's attitude regard
ing the strike. His majesty is credited
{ with having expressed at Prince Hohen
lshe's banquet his pleasure at the atti
tude Of the Hamburg employers il
''staunchly resisting the unjust demands
of the dock laborers, and, having dwell
: at length upon the idea of founding
, coalition of employers, adding that suci
a step upon the part of the employers
would be a blessing for the reduced
wsrkmen and enable them to resist the
Indictment Of hatred within the worlC
!, Of labor.
II is probale, however, that some agree
, neRt between the employers and the
: | strikers Will be reached Wltnln the mex
= few days.
The government of Alsace Lorraine
Prince Notwithstanding, has pre-
scented the Schiller society of Suabia witt
a lsek of the great German dramatis
and poets hair. A photograph has beef
published of Rochtings picture, The
/. storming of st. Privat by the First Reg
inleRt of Guards for which Empero
William sketched the studies. One ar
critic says There is no trace of dua
inspiration. therefore it is difficult to zen
der to Caesar the things which arr
:. Caesars"
Advices received here from Iorenzc
, Marquise. Portuguese East Africa. an
nounces that Portuguese warship there
: had saluted with twenty-one guns til
: German war vessel Condor. which re
e piled in kind. In addition the distric
l. governor called upon the German consu
and offered apologies for the recent at
tack made upon the German consulate
fl the searching of residences oc
cupied by anarchists here, many paper
a and pamphlets were seized and arrest:
: were made of the publishers of the So
ciahst.
4 Influenza is increasing in this city.
: The Prussian government is systemat
icany depressing the agitation in In,
Polish provinces. The archbishops anC
bishops have been notified that unless
\ IL