The record-union., 1897-12-17
Much Ceremony, in Which Emperor VIII
lam Takes an Important Part.
The Kaiser Toasts His Brother at
Banquet in the Latter's Hon
or, Bidding Him to Protect Ger
man Interests at All Hazards
and Afford Protection to Every
Foreigner Who Applies for 1t.

KEEL, Dec 16.-The German cruisers
Gefion and Deutschland sailed for Chi
nese waters this morning. The harbor
presented mos~ animated picture. The
shores We're thronged with people and
a number of naval officers occupied the
Barbaroso bridge. Prince Henry en-
tered his launch and was cheered as the
boat left the shore.
Emperor William, in an Admirars un-
form, appeared alone at the castle gate,
saluted the officers and boarded the
launch. He received an ovation.
The Deutschland, which was anchored
opposite the castle, hoisted the Imperial
standard as his majesty stepped on
board and then hoisted the war flag.
The Deutschland slowly got under way
with the Emperor, Prince Henry and
the other Princes on her bridge.
AS she passed the other vessels, which
We're drawn up in line extending as far
as Bellevue hurrahs were exchanged,
the crews manned yards and guns
thundered forth salutes until the
Deutschland disappeared in clouds of
smoke and powder from the gaze of the
spectators.
Princess Henry of Prussia and her
the castle windows.
Emperor William, toasting his broth
er, Prince Henry, at the banquet given
in the latter's honor at the royal cas-
tie last night, said:
MY dear Henry: I am fully con-
scious of the task 7 have set you, and
the responsibility which you bear.
am at the same time conscious of the
fact that. it is my duty to develop what
my predecessors left me. I presup-
pose that i'm themselves they are moth
ing new. They are the logical conse-
quences of what our lamented grand
father and his Chancellor accomplished
politically, and what our glorious
father achieved with the sword on the
battlefield. These are no more than
first effects of the newly united, newly
ceded German Empire in its duties
across the seas: in the astonishing de-
velopment of the defenders of the EN-
pire, which has assumed such dimen-
sions that it is my duty to follow the
new German Hansa, and to afford it
the protection it is entitled to demand
from the Empire and the Emperor.
Our German brethren in holy orders.
who set out to engage in peaceful work,
have placed themselves under my pro-
lection, and it behooves us to afford
every support and protection to these
brethren who have been repeatedly
mortified and sorely oppressed. For
this reason the mission which I have
confided to you, and which you have to
accomplish in conjunction with your
comrades on the ships, is essentially
defensive, not offensive. 1t is intended
that under the sheltering banner of the
German naval ensign, German mer-
chant ships shall be granted their
rights; that we may claim the same
rights conceded to all other nations.
Imperial powers mean maritime
powers. Maritime powers and Imper-
ial powers mean independence. Neither
can exist without the other SQUAD
ron reinforced by your division Will now
stand forth as the symbol of Imperial
maritime power. Your vocation there
is to develop the cordial intercourse and
good friendship of all comrades of the
foreign fleets, and to firmly protect the
national interest against every one
seeking to harm German subjects. Let
1t be clear to every European, to the
German merchants, and above all. to
whom we have to deal, that German
Michael has firmly planted on that soil
a shield emblazoned with the Imperial
ca gle in order to afford protection, once
for ALL to him who applies for it.
Should any one ever attempt to af-
front or prejudice us in our rights. then
strike out with your mailed fist, and
God willing, weave around your young
brow the laurel which no one in the
German army will begrudge you"
Responding to the Emperor's toast,
Prince Henry said in closing: ''I raise
my glass and call to those who with
me enjoy the happy privilege of being
permitted to go forth to remember this
day, to impress on their minds the per-
son of the Emperor. to let the cry re-
sound far out into the world: 'Our
most serene. mighty, beloved Emperor.
l, l., \, J,,,. !,