The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-01
OPENING OF THE REIcHsTAG.
The Emperor Delivers The speech
From the Throne in Person.


Berlin. Nov. 3O.-The last session of the
present Reichstag was opened in the
White Hall of the Royal Castle at noon to-
day.
Emperor William opened the session in
person for the first time since 1894. His
majesty read the speech from the throne.
The navy occupied the principal place
in the Speech
The speech concludes: "All indications
Justify The expectation that with Gods
help, we may in the future. as in the past,
look forward to the peaceful development
of Europe and the German fatherland.
After reading his speech, the emperor
added: 1.-TWO years ago, from this plat
form, l swore before you, upon the conse-
Grated colors of my first regiment OF
guards, to preserve the empire as l took
1t from my grandfather, and TO protect
and safeguard its honor abroad. You have
thus all become parties to my oath, and
pray, in the name of the empire and
in the presence of Almighty God that he
will assist you in your work and help me
to protect in the future as in the past,
the honor of the empire abroad, which l
have not valued too low to give my only
brother in pledge for IL.
At the conclusion of the ceremony the
members repaired to the Reichstag, where
Baron Won Buol, as president of the house
at the last session, opened the sitting
After welcoming the members the presi-
dent appointed temporary secretaries.
The rdl call showed ia members of the
Reichstag at the opening of the sitting.
The election of members of the presden-
tial bureau win take place tomorrow.
The United States ambassador Hon.
Andrew d. White, and United States Con-
sui General Goldschmdt attended the
opening of the Reichstag.
The speech from the throne was un-
favorably criticised, as a rule, by those
who have, up to the present, been able 10
weigh it.
The empress, with Prince Henry OF
Prussia, Prince Frederick Leopold and
their wives were present at the opening.
Emperor William wore the uniform of
the Guard du Corps Of the Black Eagle,
with an ca gle crested helmet He read his
speech in a clear voice, the deputies pre-
| serving silence until he reached the pas
sage referring to the occupation of KiaO
Chu. This was greeted with loud cheers.
1t was supposed that his majesty's ad-
dress had ended when he remarked that
all indications justified the expectation
that, with Gods help the German people
might look forward to the peaceful devel-
opment of Europe and the Fatherland; but
TO I06 dSlOnlSnIuGnL OF everybody, luCluu-
ing Prince Hohenlohe the imperial chan>
celor, the emperor handed his manuscript
back to the prince, and then, raising his
voice, added extemporaneousiy illusions
10 his sath made two years ago from the
same platform upon. the colors of the
| First regiment of the Guards and the
| statement that all before him had thus
| been company to his oath, pledging to as
| sist him in the protection of the empire
| abroad. This addition is extensively crit
| icised as virtually undoing the effect of
| the unusual moderation of the official
speech which was conspicuous by the alb
| sence of such phrases as my army, 4"
my navay," my empire" and similar
| customary evidences of imperial impul-
| siveness.
The Nord Deutsche Allegein Zeitung
| prints tonight an official statement on
| the subject of the occupation of Kiao Chu,
reiterating the emperors statement that
Germany's only object is to secure pro-
lection for the German missionaries in
China. This apparent conflict of views
between the emperor and official dominion
leaves the public still in the dark as TO
the real objects of the demonstration off
Kiao Chu bay, but it has the advantage
automatically of leaving the government
free TO retire from Kiao Chu without the
loss of prestige should the negotiations
with the powers render the course advis-
! able. IT is said that China has appealed
to the kaiser's friendship, promising that
if the marines are Withdrawn from the
! forts at Kiao Chu the government will
| give Germany every satisfaction.