The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-07


of yesterday were but the overture for
far more important ceremonies to-day
upon the occasion of the long awaited
enthroning of Queen Wilhelmina, who
came of age on August 81. The day
began with a salute of 101 guns and
majestic choral performed by trumpet
ers from the crenelated towers Of the
five great churches of Amsterdam.
| Crowds of people assembled early In
the morning and took up positions
from which to view the royal process
sion to the Neukirk, an edifce that' IN
| spite of its name, is 400 years ola. by
10 o'clock the Damplatz presented a
magnificent spectacle. The center was
| cleared and the sides were densely
thronged. the front places being re-
served for the children of the orphan
ages. The multitudes We're kept back
by lines of troops of all arms.
From the principal gate of the palace
to the church, between lines OF naval
cadets, was stretched gay awning
decorated with streamers, and velvet
carpeting was laid over the short dis
lance which the Queen had to ira
verse.
At 1875 the princely families of
Sake Weimar and Wied drove to the
church, escorted by cavalry with bands
playing and drums beating, While the
troops presented arms.
Almost Immediately afterward the
Queens mother appeared In state
coach, which was Surmounted by
gilt royal crown upon a crimson cush-
ion. She received an ovation and was
greeted with endless cheering and cries
of Long live the Queen Mother"
About ten minutes later the beating
of drums and the blare Of trumpets
signaled the fact that Queen Wilhel-
nina had left the palace, and at that
very moment the sun burst from the
clouds in brilliancv which was looked
upon as being a happy augury for the
young sovereign.
The procession was headed by the
king at-arms with the heralds in their
gorgeous antique costumes and bearing
long trumpets, adorned with pendant
flags. But all the splendor of the royal
retinGe was overlooked by the vast
crowds of people, whose eyes were
turned upon the central figure of this
imposing procession-the young Queen
on foot amid the people, decked with
all the emblems Of royalty. On her
head was a diadem of diamonds, crown
shaped. Her robe was of white silk.
with long train, under a mantle Of
rich red velvet, on which the Lions of
Nassau We're sdisplayed in gold en-
broidery. The mantle was bordered
with ermine.
The sword of state was carried be-
fore the young Queen by general
Her Majesty carried herself with
grace and fortitude, but her blanched
checks were evidence of the profound
emotion inspired by the greatness of
the occasion. The jewels worn by the
young Queen were part of those stolen
in Brussels September 9, 1929 Some Ct
them were recovered by the police CT
New York a year later through ineor-
nation which a Frenchman named
Roumage gave to the Dutch Minister
at Washington.
1t is impossible to accurately de-
scribe the acclamations which greeted
the Queen. The roars of loyal cheers
grew louder and more sustained as her
Majesty proceeded to the church,
which, in the meanwhile, had been
filled with brilliantly robed ladies and
uniformed civil and military authori-
ties, naval officers and members of the
diplomatic corps. The interior of the
church disclosed a magnificent wealth
OF drapery, banners, palms and flow
erS.
AS the procession of the Queen
Mother entered the church the assem-
bly, arose and remained standing. The
Queen Mother wore a low-necked dress
of light mauye color, trimmed with
lace and covered with pearls. On her
head was a. splendid tiara and on her
breast were displayed the insignia of
the Dutch orders. The maids of honor
and the ladies in waiting were dressed
in beautiful costumes, blazing with
diamonds. Then followed the Queen
Mother who took up a position on the
left of the throne, but who remained
standing until the arrival Of her daugh-
ter, the sovereign.
Suddenly the kipo-at- arms, from the
portal Of the church, heralded the ar
rival of Queen Wilhelmina, who en-
tered the building escorted by train
of generals, each bearing an emblaz-
oned banner.
The choir. which included the great
est artists of Holland, sang "Wilhelmus
Van Naseauwe."
The Queen, looking very we'll in her
robes of state, bowed from side to
and reaching it she turned and again
bowed and took her seat. A moment
later her Majesty arose and in clear
and perfectly calm voice spoke as fol-
lows:
Gentlemen of the States General: Since
the death of my ever lamented father,
and until have completed my eighteenth
year, the government has been in the
hands Of my mother. I have now as
sumed the government, and / have is
sued proclamation to my well-beloved
people.
The hour has now arrived when, amid
the faithful states general, and invocat-
ing the holy name of God, 1 shall pledge
myself to the people Of the Netherlands
to maintain their rights and privileges.
On this date | draw more closely the SOL
emn tie existing between myself and my
people. The very ancient union Of the
Netherlands and of the House of Orange
is confirmed afresh. Beautiful is my vo-
cation; beautiful is my task. / am happy
and. grateful to be able to. govern. the
Netherlands people, nation small in
numbers but great in virtue of its
strength of character esteem it a privi-
lege and pleasing duty to devote all my
strength to the prosperity and welfare OF