THE LATE EMPEROR.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2445, 13 March 1888, Page 2

THE LATE EMPEROR.

(l!Y KI.I!CTIUO TKI.KGRAPH.—COPYKIGHT.) London, March !). Tub 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 lie was sleeping easily, and the pain' and fever had decreased. His condition, however, waa considered to be hopeless. Although a soaking rain was falling, enormous crowds surrounded the palace, anxiously waiting the latest news from the sick room. The issue of the Berlin journals which published a false a>nouneement 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 the 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 slated that the German Government have ordered a criminal prosecution against the two evening papers in Berlin which first aunouueed 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 erening the streets wore 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 has 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, and 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 posture, in a camp bedstead, surrounded by 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 converseil with Prince William, his grandson, on civil and military and foreign atlairs, 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 the Crown Prince as Frederick 111., and the statement was received with great satisfaction. Sydney, March 10. The German Embassy has received a msssage 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. MkIIiOUKNK, March 10. Flags here arc all at half-mast out of respect to the Emperor of Germany, and at noon to-day minute guns were fired.