The record-union., 1898-08-01
Funeral Arrangements Have Not Yet Been
Determined Upon.
The Last Words Of the Ex-Chan-
cellor Were Addressed to His
Daughter, Whom He Thanked
For Wiping the Precipitation
From His Forehead.

<ASSOcldteu FreSS from Berlin says
Ihe news Of Prince Bismarcks death
reached this city at a late hour, and
was only generally known this morn
ing. "A number of papers, including
the Post, the 'Vorwaerts'' and the
Deutsche Zeitung," did not contain
the news of the Princes demise. The
'Kreuz Zeitung' and some others had
only a brief notice
The Tageblatt' this morning issued
Bismarck supplement- The "Lokal
Anzeiger" prints the fullest details
from It's special correspondent at Fried
richsruhe, but the other papers, mis-
led by DR.. Schweninger's and the fam
ily's statements regarding the Princes
condition, made no provision to obtain
news of his death. A majority of the
provincial papers did not contain the
news.
This morning no news of any kind
regarding the funeral arrangements
was obtainable. The Hamburger Cor
respondent" and the '.Nachrichten"
appear with mourning borders and
publish long obituary notices.
The 'Nachrichten" gives the fullest
details of the last days and death of
Bismarck. 1t says: "On Tuesday
evening an improvement set in in the
Princes condition, in which repeated
changes for the worse had occurred
since October last, and he was able to
appear at the table and take part in
the conversation, drinking champagne
and afterWard smoking several pipes,
which he had not done lately His con-
dition was so satisfactory that DR..
SchWeninger, after the Prince had
gone to bed, left, with the intention of
returning on Saturday. His condition
was kept very satisfactory throughout
Friday and Saturday morning He
read the 'Nachrichten' and conversed
on politics, particularly referring to
RUSSIAN affairs. In the forenoon he
took luncheon, grumbling jocularly at
the small proportion Of spirits in his
drinking water. Then a sudden change
for the worse occurred in consequence
OF an acute attack of pulmonary oede-
ma, and in the course of the afternoon
he frequently became unconscious.
Recently, during brief periods of
usual mental clearness, the Prince had
intervals of drowsiness, falling into
long, sound and beneficial sleep, on
awakening from which he would be
completely refreshed On Saturday
evening grave symptoms appeared
Death came easily and painlessly, and
DR.. Schweninger was able to some ex-
tent to tighten the last moments, wip-
ing the mucus from the patients mouth
and enabling him to breathe more
freely.
''The last words Prince Bismarck ut
tered were addressed to his daughter,
Countess Won Rantzau, who wiped the
perspiration from his forehead. They
Were: Thanks, my child
THE whole family were assembled
at the bedside at the time of his death,
and DIR. Schweninger, Dr. Chrysander
and Baron and Baroness Merck were
also present. AS no breathing move
ment was perceptible for three minutes,
DR.. Schweninger declared quietly and
simply that the Prince was dead
DIR. Schweninger telegraphed the
news to Emperor William in Norway.
THE Prince lies as he used to sleep,
in an easy position, with his head
slightly inclined to the left The ex-
preston on his face is mild and peace
full. 1t is remarked that his head re-
manned warm for an unusually long
time.
I'm accordance with Bismarck's wish,
he will be buried upon the hill opposite
the castle in the vicinity Of Hirsch-
grippe"
A special dispatch to the "Lokal An
zeiger' from Friedrichsruhe says: "The
death chamber is on the ground floor Of
the castle. The Prince died on an oaken
bedstead, made specially for him of
wood from Sachsenwald. The end was
preceded by a severe death struggle
and terrible pain. AS he lies his head
is slightly fallen forward on his breast,
terpane. At the foot Of the bed stand
two watchers. The city looks hardly
different from its wont, except that
flags are at half mast"
United States ambassador White at
noon to-day sent the following dispatch
to Count Herbert Won Bismarck at
Friedrichsruhe: "On behalf of the
whole American people whether official
or unofficial. and Of whatever birth or
descent / tender congratulations upon
the mighty career now ended, and as
suranceS Of the most sincere sympathy
for yourself and your mourning family"
At the Office Of the Mareschal Of the
court 1t was said this evening that DR..
Won Lucanus, chief Of Emperor Will
iam's civil Cabinet, is hurrying home
from Hortz, where he has been spend
ing the summer, with view of put
ting himself In communication with the
Bismarck family and DR.. Schweninger,
in order to arrange for the funeral,
which will probably be delayed until
the Emperor's return.
1t is significant that Prince Bis