The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-17
GREAT FESTIVAL
ATGERMAN COURT
Will Celebrate aooth Anniversary
Of Birth of Frederick
the Great.
By COUNT Won ELpHpERG.
Special Cal lie to The Times ispa ;ch.

Special Cal lie to The Times Dispatch
Berlin, December 16.--Prepa ra lions
are proceeding at the imperial court
for the celebration of the two hun
dredth anniversary of the birthday OF
Frederick the Great Ono of the prin-
cipal festivities arranged in this con-
nectlon VIII be gorgeous costume
ball, at which Frederick the Great and
tile principal men and women of his
court Will be represented by present
day personages-
Tho Kaiser will appear dressed as
his ancestor, the Great Frederick and
all the other eminent courtiers Will
masquerade the great men and wo-
men of the middle eighteenth century
This festival Will tako place In the
Imperial Palace, Berlin. and already
there Is keen competition for the invi-
tattons which the first court chamber
lain will Issue. In high German co.
ciety demands are now being put for
ward that all foreigners. including
Americans. shall be excluded from in
vitations to this patriotic festival. In
previous years 1t has frequently hap
pened that distinguished Americans
have received invitations to the great
court festival which is held every jan
uary. while many members of Berlin
society were unable to obtain them
On this occasion the agitation has
been begun In good time, and various
energetic communications have been
addressed to the court chamberlain on
the subject. 1t is anticipated that the
Kaiser will, nevertheless, invite lust
MS many Americans as he rkaases. 1t
is also expected that there Will be a
tremendous influx OF American mil
lionaires into Berlin in time for the
January court festival. and the hope
of obtaining access to the Kaiger's
own circle.
The situation in Austria is becoming
strained For the moment tho EN-
peror Franz josef Is holding his own
against the heir-apparent. Archduke
Ferdinand, but influences behind the
Inter are enormous and include all
tho energies OF the army.
The immediate cause Of Baron Con-
raids dismissal from the position of
chief of stan is really that he insisted
on preparing for war with Italy, and
for that purpose had planted an army
corps on the Italian frontier. This
open attack upon the Emperors policy
Of peace by the archduke Is causing
much excitement, and in Hungary an
ger. for the archduko Is not admired
by Hungarians.
Meantime Italy is strengthening her
frontier guards. and has sent an adj
ditional $4,000 men to the northern
frontier. King Victor Emmanuel him
self, with the chiefs OF the Army De-
partment. made an inspection of all
the fortresses.
Lynchins Laid 10 Mesmerism.
A queer plea OF nuto-suggestion Sc
cured the accquittal of sic Croatian
peasants accused OF lynching q ped
dler at Fibnik village. The peddler
was suspected OF having fred a num-
Der Of ricks In the neighborhood. Evil
dence given at the trial showed that
the peddler WAS seized by the six
prisoners and taken before the assem-
bled villagers. men and women, who
without questioning his guilt, beat him
to death with fails. cut up his body
with scythes and burned the remains
in straw bonfire
The defending counsel argued tina,
the peasants had, so to speak," mes
| merized each other In their common
excitement about the burned ricks,
and being In state Of auto-sugges-
| ton, were not responsible for their
actions"
The court accepted tho plea and lib.
| Grated the prisoners.
Il