The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-12
TROUBLE N BELGIUM
What 1t Is All About Is Here
Fully Explained.
LIKE THE REST OF EUROPE
That Little Kingdom Is Quak-
ing for an UpheavaI'
LIKE THE REST OF EUROPE

| wars that have been Waged within her
| territory. That the country seems on the
verge of a revolution is no surprise to
those who have followed European history
since the days of 1915, when the famous
and notorious congress of Vienna" made
| and unmade kings and kingdoms just as
arbitrarily as Napoleon I. had created
them. All Europe Is naturally deeply in
terested in the chapter of modern history
which is now proceeding to a elimination
in the little monarchy, because there Is no
knowing where u revolution started in the
plains of Brajbant may end. In the Scandi-
navian peninsula Norway is waiting for an
opportunity to secede from Sweden; in
Russia trouble Is fomentIng in Finland in
tlle northwestern part, and quaint famine
Is stalking through the land in the central
portion Of the gigantic empire: in Austria
1t is only the one life Of popular emperor.
and he an old man enfeebled by domestic
misfortune, which holds polyglot mon
archy of seventeen heterogeneous nations
and tribes together; In Italy a tax-ridden
people groan under almost unbearable
burdens; Spain Is in the always dangerous
condition Of reconstruction after ignomini-
by dynastic upheavel: France has its
Dreyfus case with all It's portentous posi-
bllities; Germany has its societies which
are rapidly un!fying all liberal and radical
elements against the Kingdom by the
grace of God" and in Hol;and-slts the
peace conference Of the world. which in its
qualifications may breed the very trouble
it has been called upon to prevent.
Thus there is the latent spark every
where in Europe. except in constitutional
Great Britain, that may at any time break
out into devasting flame and may wipe
monarchies built upon the accident of
birth from the map of the earth.
historical retrospect.
in a country as old as Belgium. Leopold
is only the second monarch of his dynasty
to rule in Brussels. After the fall of Ma
poleon, when order was evolved out of the
choas his overthrow had wrought, Holland
and Belgium were freed from France only
to be united in one government It was a
fatal blunder of the Vienna congress to
joni Catholic Belgium to Protestant Hol-
land. Such union could not last.
The July revolution Of 1890, which termi-
mated the rule of the house Of Bourbon in
France, was the signal for secession in
Belgium. The people of Brussels roseias
one man in n general revolt against the
Dutch king. William Of Orange. The blue
blouse of the labore1 became the uniform
of the general as well as OF the private in
the ranks. It became the emblem and
sign OF freedom. All classes wore It. Bel
gums secession from Holland, was de-
creed Oct. 4, 1890. and a national congress
elected Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg
king Of the Belgisns on June 4, 1881.
King Leopold's ENJOYS found no cordial
welcome at the courts OF Europe. Their
reception was as cold as diplomatic court
esy would permit. Belgium was regarded
as an irresponsible ami dangerous ally of
revolutionary France. The new king
however. changed the opiniin OF Europe.
He proved himself an admirable ruler, so
much so that in the dark year Of 1S4S Bel
GUM was the only country in Europe that
remained mistaken. Late IN his reign,
wien his dignihed and beneficent career
drew to close, he wrote to ore Of his
ministers: II have been happy king"
In these few words he summed up his
own life and the national life OF Belgium
since he had been called to rule it.
1t is not against the person OF the pre-
sent king. Leopold IL, who succeeded his
father at the latter's death, Dec. 10, 1866,
that revolutionary movements in Belgium
are directed He Is simple and cordial in
his manner and popular with his subjects.
who arc willing to overlook certain we'll
known defects in his character. which they
consider more than atoned by his absolute
refusal to be drawn into the never-endlng
conflict between the two political parties
in the kingdom. the clericals and the lib
erals. An ardent republican says Of Loop
old IL: at requires a very small effort
for republican 70 live under a monarch,
who, like Leopold IL, observes sincerely
and loyalty the constitution. The king
himself has too lofty a spirit to believe
that there is in Belgium a single republi-
can who could wish for his overthrow"
This tribute TO the king contains the
keynote to the present trougies in Bel
Glum. The strife Is not for a republican
form OF government. but for revision Of
the constitution which will give the peop.e
of the monarchy not only free but equal
suffrage. Equality at the ballot box is the
contention OF the radicals, led by the soci-
alists. who are the domino ing faction in
the liberal party. Preference of the indi-
vidual with a higher education than that
afforded by the common schools Of the
land. and under which one individual may
have three votes. is the contention OF the
Clericals. who are in control OF almost
every high school. college and university
in the kingdom. Between these two con-
tentions revolution may result. even
h1ugh the : 've-nm Mt has withdrawn the
measure which caused the immediate
trouble
The Belgian constitution Of Feb. {. 1891,
vouchSafes more political liberties than
the basic law Of any other European coun-
try. England not excepted. All Belgians
are equal before the law. Personal liberty
Is guaranteed to each individual Except
II unprecedented IN an act OF crime or mis-
demeanor. nobody can be arrested except
upon judiciary order. which mus be ac-
ccmranied by reasons for the arrest. 4
mans house Is inviolable. The liberty Of
every form OF religious worship IS cuaran-
teed. Civil marriage must always precefe
the religious ceremony Of matr.mony.
Education Is free TO al at the expense Of
the state. The press is free. and 70 cen
sorShip can he introduced nor can surety
bonds be exacied from any author. pub
Usher or printer. The Beigians have the
right to meet in public gathering. peace
ably and unsrned. and no permit. is re
CURED for any public assembieage. All
state authority elnanates from the nation.
and legislative power devolves jointly upon
the king, the chamber OF deputies and the