Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-07


HAD CONSCIENTIOUSLY OBSEEV-
ED NEUTRALITY TOWARD TIE
UNITED STATES AND SPAIN, AND
EXPLAINED HIS POLICY IN RE-
L4ATICN TO CHINA.
Berlin, December emperor Will
liam opened the Reichstag in the
White Hall of the Royal Castle to day
in the presence of the members Of
the Bundesrath, the generals aid other
military officers. who were grouped
around the throne. The Empress sal
in the grand balcony, and the mem
bers of the diplomatic corps oc,uplel
the adjoining gallery.
His Majesty, who arrived 1t noon
was accompanied by his sons and by
the Persian prince Mira.
After the Centrist reader, Lingens,
had called for cheers for His Majesty
the imperial chancellor, Prince Hohen-
lobe, handed the speech to the EN-
peror, who read it in a loud voice.
One of the first bills mentioned was
an anti strike measure, providing for
the punishment of those who intimi-
date non-strikers, but not interfering
with the workmen's right OF coali-
ton.
The Emperor said that Germans
relations with all foreign powers con-
tinued to be friendly, and that the
principal object of his policy would
be to contribute to the maintenance OF
peace. Therefore, his majesty hailed
with warm approval the Cars mag
unanimous proposal for the furtherance
of that object.
Continuing, the Emperor referred to
the assassination of the Empress OF
Austria as a savage and ruthless act,
which had caused him deep pain and
which had evoked the most sincere
sympathy throughout Germany.
Abiding to the anti-anarchist con-
ference at Rome, the Emperor said the
readiness with which the invitation
had been accepted by the powers justi-
fed the hope that its deliberations
would have
PRACTICAL RESULTS.
Abiding to the war between Spain
and the United States, his majesty said
Germanys neutrality was conscien-
tiously and loyalty observed toward
both belligerents.
Then, taking up colonial affairs, En-
peror William pointed out the mea-
sures taken for the economic develop
ment of Kia Choa, declaring that while
conscientiously respecting the we'll
acquired rights of third parties, the
German government would direct its
efforts to the further promotion of its
economic relations with China, which
are yearly growing more important.
Emperor William concluded by saying
that it was with deep emotion that he
had visited with the Empress, the spots
rendered dear to the whole of christen-
dom by the sufferings of the Savior, ad-
ding:
The anxious desire of my three prede-
cessors on the throne of Prussia was to
erect there a place of worship of the
evangelical confession. That it was
granted to me to fulfill this desire and
hand over the Redeemer's church at
Jerusalem to the service of the Lord is a
fresh incentive to me to further employ
IN, NV he "A
God in behalf of the eternal and funda-
mental truths of Christianity. Guided
by sucuh sentiments, it afforded my heart
a special satisfaction to fill the long
cherished wish of the German Catholics
by the acquisition of
PROPERTY ON MOUNT ZION
sacred to them by hallowed reminis-
cences. I cherish the hope that my stay
in the Turkish empire and the brilliant
reception accorded me by the Sultan and
the Turkish people everywhere will prove
to be of permanent benefit to German
prestige and the national interests OF
Germany"
His Majesty's speech was repeatedly
cheered.
Count Won Loerchenfeld. the Bavariar
plenipotentiary. called for three cheers
for the Emperor, after which Emperor
William and his sons left the hall and the
deputies proceeded to the Reichstag
where Herr Lingens took the chair, as
senior member.
After the usual formalities of the open
ing, the Reichstag adjourned until We'd
nesday.
Considerable surprise is expressed at the
omission from Emperor Williams usually
long speech of any reference to the argu.
ment with Bavaria about military judi.
cial procedure or to the alleged new
understanding with Great Britain.
The evening papers note that the EN-
perez spoke of the Car as his dear
friend" and of Emperor Francis Joseph
aS his faithful ally" They argue, there
fore, that the trend of foreign policy is
unchanged, and that the triple alliance
is still in existence
The preamble of the army bill says that
Germany is still menaced in conse-
quence of her Georgia possession, while
neighboring States do not cease Their sys-
tematie war-like preparations"