The age-herald., 1898-01-02
IS BISMARCK
 DEAD OR ALIVE London News of This Morning Prints
 Story and ReaiiirmS It. DENIED FROM HAMBURG Report Originated at Berlin, tho Ger
 man Capitol. IS VERY SICK IF NOT DEAD The Aged Iron Chancellor Has Failed Rapidly Within the Past Few Days Because
 of Insomnia, From Which He
 Has Suffered Much.
IS VERY SICK IF NOT DEAD

London, Jan. 2-The usual quiet of New Years day was disturbed yesterday after noon by report that Prince Bismarck was dead. This rumor, so emphatcally made by the Evening News and shouted through the London streets by the newsboys, cre- ated deep sensation in the minds of the general public and great excitement in the newspaper circles until denial was re- eeived by the Reuter- Telegram company Most of the Londoners, however, went to bed last night in the belief that Prince Bis marck was dead, as the dispatch to the Reuter- company from Hamburg was only published in this mornings newspapers. h. quires made here bear out the denial Baron D'eckardstein attache of the Ger man embassy, said no news had been re- ceived at the legation, and the ollie als were convinced that the rumor was untrue, be- cause, apart from the absence of official news, friend of Deckardstein was stay ing at the home of Prince Bismarck and would certainly have telegraphed had the rumor been true.
 At the foreign office it was also said no news of gBismarcks death had been received and the rumor was discredited there.
 Denied al Berlin
 A denial has also been received here rom Berlin. The feeling Is one of profound reticence. The actual source of the report is not known, but the rumor was readily credited in view of the fact tbat the ex- chancellor has for the past fortnight been in bad health and worse than before, though 1t was not thought his life was in positive danger.
 Inquiries made by both telegraph and telephone have elicited the reassuring statement that the prince is alive and that there is no reason to believe that his con- dition is any worse today than 1t has been of late. A despatch from Hamburg says that the rumor of Bismarcks death originated in Berlin and was received in Hamburg with skepticism which inqiury at Freidrichsruhe proved to be justified.
 There is no doubt, however, that Prince Bismarck's health has been rudely shaken in the last few days owing to his insomnia, which is due to want of open air exercise and the agony which he suffers from the gout. Dr. Schwenniger has ordered Prince Bismarck to abstain from all mental ex- ertion.
 The announcement of the death of Prince Bismarck was made by the Evening News yesterday afternoon saying that the prince had passed away and that there was great excitement in Berlin. The News stated that the report was confirmed from several sources, but was discredited in some quar- terS.
 Reafiirms the Story
 A later edition of the Evening News printed dispatch from it's own corre- spondent in Berlin, saying: 1.-The one re- mark on the lips of everybody is Prince Bismarck is dead Although expected for months, the event has caused a great shock. It is the sole topic of conversation in the hotels, cafes and street. Today be- ing holiday, everybody about the streets were talking of the sad event. When the news was first received in Berlin 1t was discredited, and when confirmation was re- ceiyed from various sources there was the deepest grief everywhere. It is uncertain whether death was due to apoplexy or goutsof the heart. Telephoning to Ham burg could not obtain confirmation, but here 1t is generally believed"
 At about a quarter of seven in the even- ing an official agency in Berlin sent the following:
 "Count Herbert and Count William Bis- marck and Dr. Shwenniger at present are on visit to Prince Bismarck There has been no change in the princes condition during the last few days. He appears reg ularly at meals"
 This was followed by a dispatch from Hamburg, saying:
 '"The report that Prince Bismarck died today is unfounded. The prince today re- ceived no personal visits"