The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-08-01
DEATH OF BISMARCK.
Man of Iron and Blood Meets InViG-
chile Conquer err.
PASSED AWAY AT FRLEDRICHS-
RUHE SATURDAY.

Prince Said to Have Died without Taking
Leave of His Family-Suffered Terrible
Agony in His Last Hours-Remarhable
Career of the Dead Statesman,
Berlin, July 30-Prince Bismarck died
Details of his death are obtained with
difficulty. because of the lateness of the
hour. the isolation of the castle and the
strenuous endeavors of the attendants Of
the family to prevent publicity being
oiven to what they consider private dc.
tails The death of the ex-Chancellor
comes as a surprise to all Europe. De-
spite the family's denials, there was an
under-current of apprehension when the
sinking of the Prince was first an
nounced. inspired more by what the fami-
" said than by any information given.
But when the daily bulletins chronicled
Improvement in the Princes condition,
detailed his extensive bills Of fare and
told of his devotion to his pipe, the pub
lie accepted DR.. Schwenlnger,s assertion
when he said there was no reason why
Rismcrck should not reach the age of SO
voars If appears that the Chancellor's
death was not precipitated by sudden
complications, but was rather thu eulmi-
nation of chronic disease-neuralgia OF
the face and inflammation of the veins
which kept him in constant pain that
was borne with the iron fortltude which
might have been expected.
The beginning of the end dates from
July 20, when the Prince was confined
to his bed. He had been several days
nrostrateu before an inkling of his de-
cline reached the world.
Although Prince Bismarck was ex-
tremeIy low on Wednesday, he SO rallied
on Thursday that he was wheeled to the
dinner table with his family to celebrate
the 5lst anniversary of his wedding. He
never for a moment believed himself in
danger until the last day. On Monday
he ordered some new pipes and smoked
one on Thursday and then conversed
brilliantly upon topics of the day, dis
cussing the trial and sentence OF M. lola
and the peace negotiations between Spain
and the United States.
The French press showed undated
enmity when discussing his possible
death. The Temps compared his end
with that of Gladstone, remarking that,
though the British statesman had failed
in his policy and had compromised his
party, he died regretted by all on &C.
count of the grandeur of his moral infiu-
ence, whereas Prince Bismarck, whose
life had been successful, would perish
exeorated by many, even in Germany,
and inquired grilnly: "What sort of a
funeral will the millions of socialists give
him who has been Matched by tyrannioal
LAVISH" ~
despatch from Friedrichsrhue says
that DR.. Schweninger was present when
Prince Bismarck died. Tine Prince was
unconscious for several hours before the
end came and his breath almost failed
repeatedly. He died without struggle
BISMARCK'S LAST HOURS.
How Great Germans End Finally
Came. 5
London, July 31.-A special despatch
to the Associated Press says the news Of
Prince Bismarck's death reached Berlin
at late hour and was only generally
| known this morning. A number of pa
pers did not contain the news of the
Princes demise.
| The Nachristen gives the fulles details
of the last days and death of Bismarck.
1t says:
"On Thursday evening an improve
nlent WAS noticeable in the Princes con-
dition, in which reported changes for he
worst had occurred since last October,
and he was able to appear at the table
and take part in the conversation,
drinking champagne and afterwards
smoking several pipes of tobacco which
he had not done lately.
ellis condition was so satisfactory that
Dr.. Schewinger, after the Prince had
gone to bed, left with the intention of
returning on Saturday. Prince Bis.
marck's condition was comparatively
satisfactory throughout Friday and Sat-
urday He read the Nachristen and con
versed on politics. particularly referring
to Russian AFFAIRS In the forenoon he
took luncheon, grumbling jooularly at
the small proportion of spirits in his
drinking water. Then sudden change
for the worse occurred. in consequence of
an acute attack of pulmonary odema,
and in the course of the afternoon he
frequently became unconscious.
Recently besides periods of unusual
mental clearness the Prince had had in.
tervals Of drowsiness, falling into long,
| sound and beneficial sleep. on awakening
from which he would be completely re-
freshed.
"On Saturday evening grave symp-
toms appeared. Death came easily and
painlessly. DR.. Schweninger was able
to some extent to Tighten the last
moments by wiping the mucuos from
the patients mouth and enable him to
breathe more freely.
"Tbe last words Prince Bismarcl, nt