Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-20
Speech on Subject at Aix-la-
Chapelle.
BASIS OF HIS EMPIRE
ADVISES CATHOLICS AND PRO
TESTANTs TO HARMONIC.
Work Together for the Upbuilding CT
the Morals Of the
People.

AIX-LA-CHAPE Prussia June %
a striking speech en- religion was delivered
by Emperor William at the city hall here
yesterday after his arrival from Bonn. ac-
companied by the empress and the crown
prince Frederick William. After observ-
ing that the city was the cradle of the Ger
man empire. Charlemagne. on whom Rome
conferred the dignity Of a Roman Caesar.
having fixed the seat of government mere,
the emperor said:
What. however. his powerful personality
was able to effect. namely, combining the
office Of a Roman emperor with that of a
Germanc king. was denied his Successors,
who. striving to uphold the worldwide i'm
perium, forgot the cause of Germania, SO
that little by little the German land and
people d6cayCd and the Roman empire of
German nationality fell to pieces. Now
however. another empire has come to life
and its tasks are different from those of
ancient days. Confined in their outward
limits to the borders of their country. the
Germans have settled down to the work
which has fallen upon them. In these days
the young empire is trengthening itself
and confidence in it is ever increasing.
Supported by the Army.
THE mighty German army constitutes
the support of the peace Of Europe. In con-
formity with the character of their race
the Germans have kept themselves within
bounds, so far the outside world is con-
cerned. in order to be wholly unfettered 1T
home. Our tongue is passing beyond the
seas. Every thought of science is nrst
turned to account by us. to be aftsrward
adopted by other nations. This is the
worldwide imperium after which Germanic
genius strives.
But it must not be forgotten that the
empire was rooted in simplicity and fear
of God / look TO all, priests and laymen,
to help me uphold religion among the peo-
pie. in order that the German name may
preserve its health and strength. This ap-
plies equally to the two creeds-Catholic
and Protestant.
1T is with pride and joy that l am able
TO tell you that the pope said to my special
ambassador who went to Rome on the oc-
CasiOn of the holy fathers jubilee that he
had always kept high opinion of the piety
of the Germans. and especially of that of
the German army The pope asked my
ambassador to tell his sovereign that the
country in Europe where control, order and
discipline still prevailed. with respect for
authority and regard for the church. and
where the church could live. was the Ger
man empire. and for that the papal see was
indebted To the German emperor.
Advice to the Churches
This justifies me-" continued Emperor
William. lin saying that our two great
creeds must. while living side by side. keep
In view their one great aim-to Uphold and
strengthen the fear of God and reverence
for religion. Whether We are moderns or
whether We labor in this or that field does
not matter at all He who does not found
his life religion Is lost man. | re-
joice that | have placed my whole empire,
my people and my army. well myself
and my house beneath the cross and under
the protection of Him who said: Heaven
and earth shall pass away, but my word
shall not pass away.
Emperor William concluded with calling
for three cheers for Aix-la-Chapelle