THE DEAD KAISER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8999, 12 March 1888, Page 5

THE DEAD KAISER.

, HIS DEMISE PREMATURELY ANNOUNCED. GOVERNMENT PROSECUTION. THE CLOSING SCENES. HOW HE PASSED AWAY: THE EMPRESS CARRIED TO HIS SIDE. GERMANY'S GRIEF. FREDERICK 111 [press association.] London, March 9. The following additional telegrams have been received here relating to the death of the Emperor William: — At twenty minutes past five o'clock yesterday evening His Majesty fell backwards in a swoon, and was thought to be dead. He remained for a long time unconscious, but at nine o'clock he rallied, partook of some food, and conversed with his daughter, the Grand Duchess of Baden. At one o'clock to-day he was sleeping easily, and the pain and fever had decreased. His condition, however, was considered to be hopeless. Although a soaking rain was falling, enormous crowds surrounded the palace, anxiously awaiting the latest I news from the sick room. The issue of the Berlin journals which published a false announcement of the Emperor's death were seized by the police. The Queen was informed of the report by the Prince of Wales, but His Royal Highness was subsequently apprised of its incorrectness. The first report of the Emperor's death originated in two evening papers published in Berlin. The report reached London at six o'clock on Thursday evening, and the streets were crowded with people anxious to buy extras containing the news of His Majesty's death, and also slips issued with the biography of the deceased Emperor. It is stated that the German Government have ordered a criminal prosecution against the two evening papers in Berlin who first announced that the Emperor was dead. In Berlin the report was generally credited, notwithstanding that at the embassies placards were posted denying that death had ensued. Immediately on the notice being issued to close the theatres and houses, and drape the principal streets in Berlin, the residents became aware that the Emperor Wilhelm had passed away. All the evening the streets were thronged with people expressing regret at the death, and the loss which the nation had suffered. The garrison troops were kept in readiness to take part in the ceremony of administering the oaths to Prince William, who lias been selected to act temporarily as Regent. However, before the Prince was sworn in, the Emperor rallied, and the Empress, who had been lying ill for some weeks past, was, by her express desire, carried into the room, ana laid beside her husband on the bed. The Emperor, though very weak, was able to join in the prayer that was offered, and afterwards conversed with the Empress and family, and took farewell of them. He died at half-past eight a.m. His Majesty the Emperor when overtaken by death was in a half sitting Eosture, in a camp bedstead, surrounded y the members of his family, generals in the army, and members of the Cabinet., His last moments were painless, and he amazed everyone with the fortitude shown, and the manner in which he conversed with Prince William, his grandson, on civil and military and foreign affairs, especially as to the relations of Germany with France. The sorrow shown by all German subjects at His Majesty's death is intense. All amusements have ceased, and the sympathy of all European countries has been aroused. The British Court has gone _ into mourning for a month, and the gaieties announced in connection with the silver wedding of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales have been abandoned. Prince Bismarck, in announcing the death of the Emperor, in the Reichstag, referred to tne Crown Prince as Frederick 111., and the statement was received with great satisfaction. Sydney, March 10. The German Embassy has received a message from Berlin, officially announcing the death of the Emperor Wilhelm. Minute guns were fired at noon, and a proclamation expressing regret at the death of His Majesty has been gazetted. Melbourne, March 10. v Flags here are all at half-mast out of respect to the Emperor of Germany, and at noon to-day minute guns were fired.

PROBABLE CHANGES IN GERMANY. Questions having arisen in town as to the probable result the death of the Emperor Wilhelm would have on German affairs and the succession, a Herald reporter waited on several prominent German residents in Auckland who are conversant with the affairs of the German Empire. The chief question at issue was whether the Crown Prince would succeed his father as Emperor of Germany, or simply as King of Prussia. The grounds for doubt on this subject were these : On the confederation of the German States, Wilhelm, King of Prussia, was elected Emperor of United Germany, but the question was whether the succession became hereditary. Another question was whether in the event of the Grown Prince dying after being proclaimed Emperor, the Crown Princess became Queen or Empress regnant, or whether the crown at once went to her eldest son. We give the result of an interview with a German gentleman in business in Auckland, who has recently returned from Germany, as a sample of the opinions of the others to whom we have spoken. "Mr. S. What effect do you think the death of the Emperor Wilhelm will have on European affairs— mean in regard to peace or war ?" "I do not think it will have any effect whatever, and I do not think there will be war." And how will it affect German affairs, especially in regard to the succession ? Does the Crown Prince succeed his father as King of Prussia only, or does he by hereditary right become Emperor ?" Both. He succeeds his father as King of Prussia, and will at once be proclaimed Emperor of Germany by right of succession. The succession to the throne of the empire is hereditary." "As you are aware, the Crown Prince has been in a dangerous state of health for some time. In the event of his death, does his wife become Empress Regnant ? " "No. A regency has already been appointed. In the event of the death of her husband she would simply become Dowager Empress, with no voice in State affairs. The Salic laws are in force in Germany, and ,a woman cannot reign. I may add that I believe the death of the Emperor Wilhelm will lead to considerable changes in the German Government. The people were only waiting for the old Emperor's , death to Bring about great changes, and in

future the Government will be constitutional, somewhat after the same lines as the English Government."

His Imperial Highness Prince Frederick William Victor Albert, commonly called Prince William of Prussia, who has been appointed Regent of Germany, was born on January 27, 1859, and took naturally to the profession of arms. Like his ancestors, he began his military career by marching past the Emperor at Potsdam, at the head of his company, and, later, of his cavalry regiment. Prince William's knowledge of military tactics is so great, and his military reputation as a tactician so promising, that Count Moltke himself, so sparing of his words, and certainly by no means a courtier, declared that the young Prince's military observations were worthy of Frederick the Great. Nothing can be said at present as to the future character of Prince William and what effect his elevation to the throne might have. His father was most peacefully disposed as a youth, but the breaking out of the Danish and afterwards of the Austrian and French wars seemed to convert him at once into a warrior.