Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-08-11
NOT A POPULAR HERO.
PUBLIC TOOK BUT LITTLE INTEREST
IN BISMARCk'S FUNERAL.
There Was a Brilliant and Impressive
Court Display But the Common People
Showed But Little Itespect-Mom-
bcrs of Royalty Present.

Berlin. Aug. 4-To-day'a Bismarck ccrc-
mony was brilliant and impressive as re-
CARDS court display but quite disappoint-
ing in other respects. 1t bore traces of
haste and halr-heartcdncss The church
was inadequatcly decorated; and the pub
lie displayed no enthusiasm in the ceremo-
NAL, which so far from having the cXcep-
tional character of great national MOURN
ing for a nations greatest statesman, diff
fcrcd hardly any from hundreds Of similar
functions that may be witnessed mere at
any time.
Perhaps the most disappointing feature
though 1t was known beforehand, was the
fact that not Il single member of the Bis
marCk family attended. The royal pew
set apart for their accommodation re-
manned ConspiCuously and Significantly
empty. 1t may be admitted that the de-
ceased statesman was not altogether pop
ular with the masses in Berlin but on such
an occasion, this alone could hardly ac-
count for the sparseness ami nondcscript
character of the public attracted to the
scene. The bitterness of the old chanccl-
lor toward the young Kaiser seems to
reach beyond death. To-day's incident
was emphasized by the fact that Prince
Herbert Bismarck came to Berlin during
the afternoon on private business.
he prucc, dings were characterized by
the utmost simplicity; but the Emperor $
ally responded to, many OF the leading
men coming from distant places for the
sole purpose of being present. The emper-
or and Empress arrived by train at Char
lottenburg and drove 10 the church in an
open landau, drawn by four horses, with
Positions. preceded by outriders and es-
Cortcd by two squadrons of cuirassiers.
Shortly after the service they left for
Wilhelmshoce. Among the royal person.
ages present at the service We're Prince
end Princess Frederick Leopold of Prus-
STA, Princess joachim, Albrecht and Fried
rich Wilhelm of Prussia. Prince Max Won
Baden, the Prince of fiesse. Prince AL
bert of Schlcswig Holstein, the hereditary
/ Prince OF llohenzollern, Prince Carl of
+ Hohcn2olern, the hereditary Prince OF
ilohcnlohe
Tho Kings and federal Princes of the
Empire were not there in person but only
by representatives.. The presence of DR..
Karl Won Boettichcr. former Prussian
minister of the interior, attracted much
attention.
A company of the second foot guards
constituted a guard of honor.
The American ambassador, Mr. Andrew
u. White, and the Spanish ambassador
Senior Mendcz De Nigo, arrived almost to-
gcther and sat side by side The absence
OF all well known adherents of the Bis
marcks was most noted, especially as
many of them came up to Berlin mme-
diately after the death. presumably &c
confer on the attitude they would OBJ
serve. Their Majesties took seats in two
arm chairs in front of the altar. all 9TH
ers in the congregation standing through.
out the service. The church was not I'LL
cd with those who were invited so that
some of the regular congregation gained
admittance.
On entering. Emperor William shook
hands with Prince Hohenlohe. the chan
! cellor. The organ was playing Beetho.
Nen's Funeral March" as their ma ies
ties took their seats, but the music soor
passed into the homely strains of a Ger.
man chorale, played softly. DIR. Fabei
advanced and, facing the congregation
read the sentences of the German buria
service. BLESSED are the dead which di,
in the Lord" adding a number of appro
Pirate Scripture passages, like For to.
day is a prince fallen in Israel"
! DIR. Fabor offered a prayer Il GermaniC
paen Of triumph and gratitude for the
achievements of Bismarck and his con-
tcmporares. After the chorale 80 fIaupt
Vol Blut Ind Wundcn," as their majes.
ties LEFT the church, the organ burst into
their faNorite hymn and the crowd outside
gave the Emperor and Empress hearty
cheers as they drove away.