THE G.O.M. OF KINGS

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 194, 11 May 1908, Page 7

THE G.O.M. OF KINGS

FRANCIS JOSEPH. : .7 " DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATION, f MEETING OF MONARGHS. OY TELEGRAPH--PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. / Vienna, May 8. Emperor William ~of. .Germany,,,the. Kings of Saxony and Wurtemberg, and many German Princes journeyed to Vienna, and congratulated Emperor,, Francis Joseph, oil his diamond jubilee. <!...■(•..■' :' .1. •. . Responding to tho;Kaiser's tribute, te hiu as "a noble ruler, aHrue.ally, and a mighty guardian of the peace,". Francis Joseph said lie regarded Austria-Hungary.'s )■ strength, like Germany's, as, based on' th<?' monarchical principle, and the true and unohanging lovo of the people. " This day," .siid 'His Majesty; "fortifies mo in the joyous expectation of' W allianc'o pursuing l none but pacific ends, effectually assisted by similar efforts, of",other,, Powers, fully to accomplish this object unto the remotest future." . Tho event was marked by popular rejoic? ingsj and choral and other festivities.' King Victor Emanuel of Italy,';and'\other Sovereigns and heads of States, sent special messages to Emperor Francis, Jpsoph. ~,, :,. /THE BINDING FORCE OF) ANEMjiik[ Tho Emperor Francis; Joseph Ihas'been called, tho' G.O.M. of Kings.. Born; on :;August. 18;; 1831, 110 is now 77 years of ago. Ori December 2, IS4S, 110 was proclaimed Emperor of Austria, mid on his personality the stability of AustroHungary has for years largely depended, It, took 12 years of'negotiation to renew' the' Cua-' toms and commercialLtreatyv.betwfeen .th&'.tivo. countries,' but that event was consummatedvati tho boginning of the .present,'.year,', giving ,tho., prospect of ten yearsj economic peace.. y.tTlie. Emperor's health, has' af.'times 'been' weak during the last twelve months. Fow men could have succeeded as he lias done'in realising: the ideal which he set himself sixty-years, ago,' and which finds expressionas follows in his proclamation of December 2, 18-18:— '

Upon the bases of true freedom,-of equal •• rights for all peoples of the Empire, of the oqutilitj- of all citizens before the law, and . of the participation oj;..popular representatives in the work of legislation, thciraiher. land will 'rise anew'irf 'ancient greatness, . but with youthful strength, aiv unshaken . fabric, amid the .Storms of time, a spacious dwelling for the' races of-various'tongues united for centuries \by a fraternal bond under the sceptre of our forefathers. It is proposed in Austi'in toicelebijate .tho. Emperor's jubilee by a scheiho of cha'ritablo institutions, including the establishment bf.ilioittea' for infants, schools for-the training, of, mothers, in the caro of linfarits', : i>Vr^ ! l(Vilk' depots, 1 * I chil-' dren's hospitals, convalescent homes,fCo'nsump : ; : tion sanatoria.j arid .fresh.air children.- It is noteworthy as,'long-ago as . 1859 Francis Joseph avnfamcnt of. the Powers..... ~^ r ; -i,,-.,.