Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-28
A SIGNIFICANT SPEECH
GEAR NICHOLAS ToAsTs THE
HEALTH OF THE KAISER.

ST. PETERSBURG, January e7-A new
grouping of the powers of Europe. with
Germany and Russia arrayed side by side
In the closest friendship and the mis-
matched alliance of the empire with repub-
lican France tagging in the rear, was fore
casted by the words of Emperor Nicholas
at q gala luncheon at Tslxarskoe-Selo to-
day in honor of Emperor Williams birth
day.
Rising to his feet before a brilliant COM
pany OF Russian and German representa-
tives to propose toast to the German EN-
peror, Emperor Nicholas lifted his glass
and said slowly and distinctly, as IL weigh
ing every word,
II drink to the health Of the Emperor of
Germany and the King of Prussia, my
brother and very dear friend
A Significant Phrase.
The phrases chosen were significant
enough In themselves, the emperor in pre-
vious years having proposed the health of
the ennperor-king without the qualifying
expression of brotherhood and friendship,
but. turning to Herr Won Schoen the Ger
man ambassador. who was standing at his
right. the emperor grasped him by the hand
and is reported to have said:
"Frere. c'est plus que allie (brother.
tnat more than ally)
The stage of the momentous utterance
was the great dining hall of the Alexander
or Little" palace at Tsarskoe-S elo, where
the emperor has his winter residence The
Empress and Grand Duke Michael were
present at the luncheon. to which were
invited, besides all the members OF the
German embassy STAFF, Court Minister
Fredericks and many high dignitaries Of
the court, generals, admirals and all the
Russian knights of the German Order of
the BLACK EaR1o ia nj
Count White, the premier, and Count Lams-
dorf. the foreign minister. gave ministerial
sanction to the significance of the utter
ance. All were in full uniform. The en-
peror and Grand Duke Michael wore the
uniforms of the Prussian regiments, of
which they are honorary commanders.
The emperor's choice Of the word ally
indicates that the defensive alliance with
France is still considered binding. but UNI
doubtedly, as has been the gossip in diplo-
matte circles here for some time. not
treaty providing for common action only
in case France is not the aggressor, and
there is no telling how soon 1t will be al
lowed to pass into desuetude.
Relations With Germany.
The present relations between Germany
and Russia have been matter of slow but
steady growth and signs of the new align
ment have long been in the air. Since the
outbreak of the Russo-Japanese war the
warm personal friendship existing between
the two monarchs has been knit closer
and the many material tokens of friendship
manifested by Germany during the war.
compared with the lukewarm support to
which France was limited by her new-found
entente with Great Britain, has combined
to build up strong Germanophile sentiment
in influential quarters in st. Petersburg.
At the same time much of the necessity TO
France of the Franco Russian alliance van
ished when France clasped hands with
Great Britain and practically assured her
self of an ally in case of war.
The present relations between Germany
and Russia were also the text of an ao-
dress delivered by Ambassador Won School
before the German residents of st. Peters
burg, who assembled this evening in honor
of Emperor Williams anniversary He
spoke with confidence of the amfty exist
ing between the two empires and declared
the relations were now closer and more
friendly perhaps than before in the history
Of the two nations.
Among the callers at the German en-
bassy today to offer their congratulations
>on the emperor's birthday were Mr.. Meyer,
the American ambassador. Foreign Minis
ter Lamsdorff also called in person.