The sun., 1898-03-09
ALBERTOFFLANDERSHE HERE
BELGIUM'S FUTURE KING GREETED
ON THE PRESID ENI,S BEHALF.

| re Is InooEnito, and In That Character Trny-
eiied in niue serre with Tan shoes-A Tall.
| Weii-knit, Unpretentious YounE Mau-In
tho Royal suito mt the wnldorr-Aaterin.
Gen. Wesley Merritt, with threo officers Of his
| star, Count dc Lichtervelde, Minister from
| Belgium and two friends, went down the bay
| yesterday morning In the revenue cutter Hud.
| son to meet the Kaiser wilhelm der Crosse. on
which was Prince Albert Leopold Clement Marie
Moinrad Of Flanders, nephew and probable sue
cossor to the King OF Belgium. Gen. Merritt
went on behalf Of the President Of the United
States. On tho way down Gen. Merritt pointed
out with what ease this harbor could be do
Tended and how we'll 1t was protected by itH
existing fortifcations
When the Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse slack.
ened speed of Quarantine, Gen. Merritt, fol
lowed by the rest Of the party, assembled the big
ships mighty side. They asked whero the
Prince was. and were told that he was on the
bridge observing tho harbor. They were asked
to meet him in the grand saloon. They ranged
up there in row, the Belgian Minister first
Gen. Merritt noxt, then NJ. Joostons, an attache'
Of tho Belgian legation at Washington who is
to accompany the Prince; Henri w. T. Mali, the
Belgian Consul here. and Lieuts. Strother, Hale.
and Mott Of Gen. Merritt's staff. Gen. Merritt
stepped out and surveyed the line critically.
Does the Prince speak English 2" he asked
the Minister In somo apparent anxiety.
Most excelently." said the Minister with q
reassuring smile.
Gen. Merritt fell into line again Just as tho
Prince entered. A tall, well.knit young man is
Prince Albert. with a frank, open smile and
much freedom Of manner. He was smooth
shaven. He wore q blue serge suit and tan
shoes. In his hand he carried u dark.brown
cloth cap. He is travelling incognito as Count
do pofh nf Hn ~ nh alra ,,,r,r ,rnlf fnr-
ward to meet him. and the two shook hands
with great cordiality. The Minister then turned
and introduced Gen. Merritt. who bowed and
Your Highness is very welcome to the United
States. We are glad to have the honor OF re-
ceiving you visitor and we have great pride
In what you are about to see. 1t is my especial
~ am honored in the extreme" began the
Se
oS o Ss sn II
ants He spoEs briefly with each Of them and
their talk the Prince Was was invited to cali at Gov.
ernor's Island and advised TO visit West Point
would be detailed to accompany him through
replied that ho was % most most sensible of the kind:
ness of the oner. but 1t was his desire TO travel
then bowed and Withdrew.
the veneer Of non.royalty is SO thin that his
| trunks are all decorated with his princcly title
| and namos in full and had each a knot OF pur-
| pie and green ribbon tied in the handles.
As soon Gen. Merritt and his stnff had left
| the steamship tho Prince hurried back to the
| cold wind did not seem to bother him at all. He
| regarded every point in the harhor with intense
interest. and asked many questions of Consul
| Mali. Tho Prince did not leave the bridge until
after the Kaiser Wilhelm had been tied up at her
| Hoboken pier and almost all OF her passengers
off. Then he went the " aldOrf- A STORM
| Here he was lodged in the royal suite on the
| second floor. at the Fifth avenue and Thirty
pied only once before then BY wealthy Phiia-
| delphian. The Prince went out driving with
Count Do Lichtervelde In the afternoon. and
went to the theatre last night.
Prince Albert is 23 years old and Is the only
son OF tho Count OF Flanders. brother of King
Leopold of Belgium. The father Is heir pre-
sumptive to the Belgian throne, but has prom.
ised to abdicate in favor Of his son. The Prince
will visit Washington this week.