THE DEATH OF THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6184, 12 March 1888, Page 3

THE DEATH OF THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY

«> The Conflicting "Reports. [Special to Pbess Assooxatioh.J LONDON, -Maiich 9. The first report pi tho Emperor's death originated in two evening papers publishedia Berlin. The report reached London at six o'clock on Thursday evening, and the streets •: were crowded with people anxious to buy extras containing tbo news of His Majesty's death, and also slips issued with the biography .of tho deceased Emperor. It is stated that tho German Government have ordered criminal prosecution against tho two evening* papers in Eoriin who first announced that the Emperor was dead. In Berlin the report was. generally credited, notwithstanding that at tho embassies placards wore posted denying that death had ensued. Immediately on the notice being issued to close the theatres and houses, and the draping of tho principal streets in BerUn, tho residents became awaro that Emperor AVYlhelm had passed away. All the evening the streets were thronged with people expressing regret at the death, and thelo3Bwhicathenation.had suffered. .The garrison troops were kept in readiness to tako part in tbo eeremor.y of administering the oath to Prince William, who lv«s been selected to act? temporarily as Eegeut. However, before the Prince was sworn iv, the Emperor rallied, and the Empress, who bad been lying ill for some weeks past", was, by her express desire, carried into the room, and laid besido her husband on tho bed. The Emperor, though very woak, was able to join iv the prayer that was offered, and afterwards conversed with the Empress and family, and toolc farewell of them. He died at 8.30 a.m. The Crown Prince will take up his residence at Charlotlenburg, three miles west of Berlin. i- ___ _ BRKLHsMabchO. His Majesty tho Emperor, when | overtaken by death, was in a halJ!- --! sitting posture in tho camp bedstead, ■ surrounded by members of his family, I the generals in the army, :md the mom- | bers of the Cabinet. His last moments j were painless, and he amazed everyoiio with the fortitude shown, smd the | manner in which he conversed with Prince William, his grandson, on civil, military, and foreign affairs, especially as to tho relations with France. The sorrow shown by all the 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 Hielmesses the Prince and Princess of Wales have been abandoned. | Prince Bismarck, in announcing the I death of the Emperor in the Eeichstag, referred to the Crown Prince as Frederick 111., and tho statement was received with great satisfaction. STDNET, March 10. The German Embassy taa received a message from Berlin oiiicially announcing the death of the Emperor Wiihelin. Minute guns were fired afc noon, and a jiroclainauon expressing regret afc the death of His Majesty has been gazetted.