The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-19
Scene of Ceremony of Opening
Reiehstag Today.
Emperor William Reads Speech
With Evolutionary Effect.
is GREATLY PLEASED.
Healthy Spirit Has Checked
SOciaIiStic Movement.
Socialists Refused to Attend the
Ceremony.

Berlin, Feb. 19.-Emperor William
opened the new reichstag today amid
a gorgeous stage setting in the great
white hall of the palace, identified for
centuries with great events of the
house of HohenzoIlern. Members of
the reichstag. in uniform or evening
dress, assembled on the floor of the
hall but there was not a socialist
among them, for being anti-monarch-
lists and Republicans. they refused to
countenance the sovereign in any
form. The empress. attended by the
Crown Princess Cecilia and numerous
princesses of the German ruling house,
occupied a great box at one end OF the
hall, while from another box, ad1oin-
ing the imperial loge, the diplomatic
corps surveyed the scene Among
those in the latter box were Ambassa-
dor and Mrs. Tower and Prof. and
Mrs. Burgess.
The emperor attended divine SER
vice in the private chapel of the pal
ace at 10:a.- m, and listened to a SER
mon by Court Preacher Faber, who
took as his text the words of the pro-
phet Isaiah. "Be Not Afraid"
After this the emperor waited In
the picture gallery adjoining the white
hall until the ministers of state, gen.
erals, admirals and all the great Off
GERS of state had grouped themselves
on the right Of the throne, while on
NnG lett were the members OF the 1eQ-
eral council, representing all the states
of the empire, the imperial chancellor,
Prince Won Buelow standing a pace in
advance of this body.
The imperial procession entered
from the picture gallery, headed by a
detachment of the palace guard. Then
came two -heralds, their tabards
adorned with the imperial eagle and
wearing enormously wide. plumed
hats.
They were followed in order by the
chief of the general staff, General Won
Moltke, with the imperial seal; Minis
ter of War Won Einem with the I'M
sheathed sword of state; General Ad-
jutant Won Lindequist, with the golden
orb, called in Germany the Imperial
applet" Field Marshal Won Hahnke
with the imperial crown; and Generals
Won Kessel. Lowenfeld and Hoepfner,
carrying aloft the imperial standard
Then came the emperor, in the uni
form of the Gar1e Du Corps with the
insign of field marshal, his golden
helmet surmounted by a silver eagle
small golden crown. Across his
cuirass the emperor wore the broad
orange ribbon of the order of the
Black Eagle. and in his right hand he |
carried a field marshal's baton.
The members of the reichstas
cheered as the emperor and empress |
entered the hall, the cheering being |
proposed by the senior member of the |
mouse, Herr Lender, who is II years of |
age.
Following his majesty was the
Crown Prince Frederick William, the |
other imperial princes and the prin- |
ces of the sovereign houses of Ger
many. forming a group on the emper- /
ors right as he took up his position |
on the lowest step of the throne The |
imperial chancellor then advanced. |
handed his majesty the speech from |
the throne, and he. holding it in his |
90 mil nfa Cd IL
on his head. read the speech in clear,
loud voice.
Pleased With Peace.
Referring to the foreign relations of |
Germany and to international peace he
said:
The general political situation en-
titles US to the assurance that peace
will continue to be preserved. Ny gov
eminent maintains with our allies our
old, heartfelt relations and with the
other powers good and correct relations.
The treaty with Denmark signed |
January 8, which was designed to re-
move disturbing differences by regulat-
ing the status of children in choosing
their nationality will, 1 am sure.
strengthen the friendly relations with
our northern neighbors''
In reg@rd to the approaching confer
ence at The Hague the emperor said:
Following the suggestion of the
United States and the proposals of Rus
STA have accepted an invitation to the
second peace conference at The Hague,
which in view of the results of the first |
Hague conference will be qualified to
develop further the laws among nations |
for the good Of humanity and of peace"
Abiding to the results of the recent
elections to the reichstag the emperor
said:
s'The German people were called upon
to decide a difference of opinion be-
tween the federal governments and the