DEATH OF VON MOLTKE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3818, 23 May 1891, Page 2

DEATH OF VON MOLTKE.

THE CAUSE OF DEATH. UNIVERSAL GRIEF. MARKS OF IMPERIAL SORROW. [Per 'Frisco Mail at Auckland.] Berlin, 25th April. Von Moltke's death was very sudden, and the physicians who were summoned announced that it was caused by failure of the heart's action, He . passed away at 9.45 o'clock at night, quietly and painlessly. The news of the Count's unexpected death caused great sorrow in the city. Von Moltke died in his study at his official residence on Konigsplatz. He had appeared to be in his usual healih, and had supper as usual, his appetite being good. He rose from his seat with the intention of retiring, when suddenly he staggered, and would have fallen if it had not been for the fact that the servant sprang up to his assistance. The Count was then carried to his bedroom and placed upon his bed, upon which he died in a few minutes. The will of the Count states that he desires the burial to take place at Creisan, where his wife and child are buried. The Empress visited the death chamber this morning, and laid a magnificent wreath of roses upon the bed upon which the great General rested. The Empress spent a quarter of an hour trying to console the family. Great crowds of people, respectful and sympathetic, surrounded the Count's residence and thronged the streets. Many of th e streets and leading thoroughfares are closed, and the city throughout is commencing to display the emblems of mourning. In the Lower House of the Prussian Diet to-day, the President of that body, in announcing Von Moltke's death to the Representatives, said the high value of the Count's services to the Fatherland would cause universal sorrow and mourning throughout Germany. In the Upper House a laurel wreath, entwined with black and white satin ribbons, hung over the Count Von Moltke's seat. The Pre ident read a letter from Major Moltke, announcing the Count's death, and then he delivered an address extolling the merits and service 3 of the dead soldier as a membar of the Upper House. In the course of the morn ing,by the Emperor's orders, the Imperial standard wa3 conveyed from the palace to the room in which the great soldier was to lie iu state. This was done as a special mark of the Emperor's favour, and as showing how deeply he feels the loss. Lessing, the sculptor, took a plaster cast of the I dead Field Marshal's fa op.