In greater numbers than ever before the Deputies, high officers of the army and navy and the Civil Government assembled on Aug. 4, first in houses of worship to pray to God, and then in the Royal Castle of Berlin.  The military character of the ceremony at the opening of the session showed under what auspices this memorable act took place.  The Kaiser entered the hall in the simple gray field uniform, without the usual pomp, unaccompanied by chamberlains and court officials and pages in glittering court dresses.  Only State Ministers, Generals, and Admirals followed him to the throne, from where he read his speech, after covering his head with his helmet.  His voice betrayed the strain under which he was laboring.  Repeatedly he was interrupted by enthusiastic applause, and when he closed, a rousing cheer thundered through the famous White Hall, something that had never before occurred there since the erection of the old castle.  Then came a surprise.  The Emperor laid down the manuscript of his speech and continued speaking.  From now on he knew only Germans, he said, no differences of party, creed, religion or social position, and he requested the party leaders to give him their hands as a pledge that they all would stand by him “in Not und Tod”—­in death and distress.  This scene was entirely impromptu, and thus so much more impressive and touching.  And it was hardly over when the Reichstag—­an unheard of proceeding in such surroundings—­began to sing the German national hymn, “Heil Dir im Siegerkranz.”  The magnificent hall, until then only the scene of pompous court festivities, witnessed an outburst of patriotism such as was never seen there before.  To the accompaniment of loud cheers the Kaiser walked out, after shaking the hands of the Imperial Chancellor and the Chief of the General Staff, von Moltke.

One hour later the Reichstag met in its own house.  The Emperor had begged for quick and thorough work.  He was not to be disappointed.  Without any formalities the presiding officers of the last session were re-elected—­in times of peace and party strife this would have been impossible.  This short curtain raiser being over, the first act of the drama began.  Before an overcrowded house the Chancellor described simply and clearly the efforts of the Government for the preservation of peace.  He stated cold facts, showing unmistakably Russia’s double dealing and justifying Germany’s beginning of a war which she did not want.  The Chancellor had begun in a quiet, subdued tone.  Then he raised his voice and when, in words that rang through the hall, he declared that the entire nation was united, the Deputies and the spectators in the galleries could sit still no longer.  They rose, with them at first some Socialists, then all of them, carried away by the impulse of the moment; the members of the Federal Council, of the press, diplomats and the crowds in the galleries joined them.  The whole multitude cheered and clapped its hands frantically.  It reflected truly the spirit of the whole nation.  The Speaker, who under ordinary circumstances would have suppressed the clapping of hands as unparliamentary and the demonstrations of the galleries as undignified, let the patriotic outburst go on to its end.