New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-01
THE SUCCESSION IN BELGIUM.
PRINCE PImLIPP OF sAXE-coBUEG FAVORED As
HEIR PREsUMPTIvE BY THE KING.

PRINCE Phillip OF sAXE-COBUEG FAVORED As
HEIR pEEsUMPTIvE BY THE KING.
Brussels April o.-The regulation OF TIE succession
10 the throne Of Belgium has caused rs Ench bit'cr
discussion in political circles recently as the reier
endum Among the proposed constitutional changes
no question Is considered more important and none
naturally excites interest in the breast OF the
King But His Majesty's plans and wishes nave
met great opposition, and 1t is doubtful whether he
will ever see their realization.
The King as Leopold l. in the event Of the absence
of direct heirs has the right TO name his successor rom
collateral male lines subject to the approval by II
two-thirds vote of the Senate and House Oh
Deputies is well known. His Majesty has no sons
but three daughters Steplanie. widow of tire Crown
Prince of Ausro hungary Princess Louise. wife OF the
Austrian general, Prince Philip of saxeCoburg. ard
the Princess Clementne who is still unmarried Ac-
cordng to the constitution Princesses OF the blood
and their descendants forever are excluded from the
right of succession TO the The Kings brother
the Count of Flanders therefore, is heir TO the throne
lie so deaf. however that he will never exercise his
rights even though he should outiivc the King.
Prince Albert, the Counts only son since
the tragic death of his brother. Is
10 be looked upon as the future successor of King
Icopod But the Prince unfortunately l. weak
physically and doubts entertained that he VIII i've
to wear The Royal Purple.
The wishes of His Majesty. therefore. to have the
question of succession settled IN case Prince Albert
should die without male heirs. is natural. 40 other
Belgian Prince Is available HIS Majesty was DESTROYS
Of securing q change in the constitution allowing
pydnccsscs of the line TO succeed to the throne rs IN
England spain and the Netherlands but lbs project
excited so much opposition that he was obliged to
reuounce 1t entirely He dearly wishes however, 10
name tho Oldest son of Prince Philip OF SAKE Cobnrg
his grandson, as heir prcsumplvc TO the throne 70
succeed n King should Prince Albert die if hTS'
made this desire known by sending Prince fmhpp To
England to represent Belgium at the funeral OF 'he
Duke of Clarence, n movement which was not We"
received by tue people. Parliament and TIE press u'
he is determined evidently not to give mp MS pEh VIII
out an effort A pamphlet was published few DAYS ago
Tx NJ Banning declaring that the nomination OF i7lhce
Philips son rs heir prcSumpve was the best solution
OF the question OF succession. and that the constitution
should be changed to make the nomination Po'sipie
Although the pamphlet bears the name OF VI tanning
on the title page IL is said good authority 70 nave
heen insprcd by His Majesty. The pamphlet, III
conseouence has been read far and VIDE iHit " haS
foied apparently 10 meet the approval n the people
mo Radicals ~peci.y oppose the succession OF foreeh
nrincos The Committee on the Revision OF the CON
.titution appointed by the senate has agreed 10 grant
the request His Majeiy that all Primes OF me ii'le
Ike members Of the SeDate, but II mas uecshru u
recommend that the privilege be extended to Foreigners
who marry Belgian rrinccSSes. THIS decision Is COZ
.idered the death lnell OF Prince Phihpp h0pcs.
seems hardly likely that his descendants VIII ever si
tBel gums throne.