The age-herald., 1900-01-02
GERMAN EMPEROR [ !.
 TO HIS SOLDIERS
Reviewed the Achievements of the Nations Arms at the
 New Years Parade

Berlin, January 1.-Emperor William, at the New Years parade today, addressed the officers of the garrison as follows:
 '"The first day of the new year sees our army--in other words. our people in arms gathered around their standards, kneeling before the Lord of hosts, and verify, if any one has especial reason this day for bow ing down before God it is our army. A glance at our standards suffices as an eX- planation, for they are the embodiment of our history.
 Tn what condition did the past century at its dawn find our army? The glorious army of Frederick the Great had slept upon it's laure1s, fossilized amid all the petty detail of pipe clay, led by superannu- ated and insufficient generals. with officers unaccustomed to useful work and lost in debauch, luxury and foolish arrogance. Our army, in a word, was not equal to its mission. which indeed it had forgotten. Heavy was the chastisement of Heaven whoever took it and fell on our people
 Tt was cast aside in the dust, the glory of Frederick was eNtinguished and our standards were broken. In many long years of bitter servitude God taught the people
 
 ure of the foot of the proud conqueror our people engendered in themselves the most sublime thought that it Is the highest hon. or to dedicate ones blood and purse to the fatherland in her armed service. Form and life were given 1t by my great-grand- father, new laurels crowned the newly cre- ated army and its youthful banners, but universal military service only attained its true significance through our great depart ed emperor In his quiet work he evolved the reorganization of our army in spite of opposition and ignorance. Glorious cam paigns crowned his work in a way never expected. His spirit filled the ranks of our army, even as his own trusty God bore our troops to astounding victories.
 With this, his own creation, he brought the German race together and gave us back long desired German unity. It is to him that our thanks are due, and by e-help of the army the German empire, cctnmand- ing respect, has again assumed he posi- tion assigned to it in the council ofinations. It is for you, gentlemen, to presArve and employ in the new century the tjld yalor which made the army great, namely-sim- plicity and modesty in daily life, Slncondi- tional devotion to the royal ser'ice,. the employment of ones whole strength of body and mind in the ceaseless work of training and developing our trGa5s and even ss my grandfather labored for his army, so will l, in like manner, unerringy carry on and carry through the work of re- organizing my navy in order that it may be justified in standing by the side of my land forces, and by it the German emperor may also be in a position to win the place which it has not attained. Jl t14
 With us united hope to be enabled to place a firm trust in the guidance of God to prove the truth of Frederick William the First: When one in this world wants to decide something with the pen, he does not do it unless supported by 'dae strength of the sword
 Emperor William has issued aA order to the army announcing that in accordance with l1he unanimous decision of the Ger man sovereignty. a badge commemorative of the last century and as a fresh pledge of indisolubleness of the empire, has been established for the colors of the whole army.