The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-07
OPENING Of THE RECHSIAG.
EMPEROR WILLIAM READS THE
SPEECH FROM THE THRONE.
He Halls With Approval the Cars
Proposal for Disarmament: Refers
to Murder of Austrian Empress,
and Talks of Meat Inspection.

BERLIN Dec. s.-Emperor William
Opened the reichstag in the white hall in
the royal castle today. in The presence OF
the members OF the bundesrath, the gen.
erals and other military officers, who were
grouped around the throne, in front Of
which the reichstag deputies assembled.
The empress sa. in the grand balcony, and
the members OF the diplomatic corps occu-
pied The adjoining gallery.
His majesty. who arrived at noon. was
accompanied by his sons and by the Per-
sian Prince MIRA.
After the Centrist leader. Lngens, had
called for cheers for his majesty, the i'm
periai chancellor, Prince Hohenlohe. hand
ed the speech 10 the emperor. who read It
in a loud voice. One of the first bills men,
tened was an aHti-strike measure, provid-
ing for the punishment Of those who intim-
idate non-strikers, but not interfering with
the workmen's rights of coalition.
His majesty hailed with warm approval
the cars magnanimous proposal, and
pledged aid for the furtherance OF that
object.
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 sin
cere sympathy throughout Germany.
Abiding TO the anti-anarchst conference
at Rome. the emperor sad the readiness
with which the invitation had been accept
ed by the powers justified the hope that its
deliberations would have practical results.
Abiding TO the war between Spain and
the United States. his majesty said Ger
many's neutrality was conscientiousiy and
loyalty observed toward both bellgerents.
Then taking up colonial affairs Emperor
William pointed out the measures taken
for the economic development of kiaochou
declaring that while conscientiously re-
srectng the wei, acquired rights Of third
parties, the German government would d.
rect its efforts TO further promotion Of its
economic relations with China which arc
yearly growing more important
There was a special passage in the adj
dress devoted to the inspection of meat. on
which subject his majesty said:
In order 10 avert the dangers involved
in the traffic of uEexamined meat intended
Tor human consumption. whether of home
or foreign origin. the question Of the gen.
eral introduction OF a system of inspection
for slaughter houses and meat IS being con-
sidered. The federal governments b II reg
uiating the subject will, / hope. occupy
your attention during the present session."
Emperor William concluded by saying
that It was with deep emotion that he had
visited with the empress the spots render
| ed dear to the whole Of Chrstendom by
| the sufferngs of the Savior adding:
The anxious desire of my predecessors on
| the throne of Prussia was TO erect there
4
fession. That Ii was granted TO me 70 full
| fiji this desire and hand over the Redeem
! er's church at Jerusalem to the Chief Lord.
| Is fresh incentive to ME TO further en-
| ploy the power vested in me by the grace
OF God In behalf of the eternal and funda-
| mental truths OF Christianity Guided by
| such sentiments. it afforded my heart a
special satisfaction TO fulfill the long cher
| ished wish Of the German Catholics by
| the acquisition of property on Mount Zion.
| sacred 70 them by hallowed "reminiscences
| / cherish the hope that my stay in the
| Turkish empire and the brilliant reception
! accorded me by the sultan and the Turk
| ish people everywhere viii prove to be O:
| permanent benefit to German prestige and
| the national interests OF Germany"
| His majesty's speech was repeatedly
| cheered.
| Count Won Lorchenfeld. the Bavarian
| plenipotentiary, called for three cheers for
| the emperor. after which Emperor William
| and his sons left the han and the depu-
| ties proceeded to the reichstag, where Herr
| IAngrens took the chair as senior member
After the usual formaities of the OPEN
Ing the reichstag adjourned until We'd
| nesday.
Considerable surprise is expressed at the
| omission from Emperor Williams speech
| OF any reference to the agreement with Ba-
| varia about the military.