The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1904-04-09
The Gay Old King Of the Belgians
Is Seventy Years
{, Old.
lie is About the Least Respected
of the European
Monarchs.
Other Rulers Shun the Royal
Sport Because OF His
Reputation.

Brussels, April oS4King Leopold Of
Belgium, one Of the most capable and
least respected nonarchs Of Europe,
entered upon his seventeen year today.
In all truth it must be said that Leo
pold's personal qualities and habits Of
life show no sign Of improving with
age. His recent discreditable lawsuit
with his. daughter, the ex-croWn PrinS
cess Stephanie, has caused him to for-
felt the last vestige OF respect which
his brother rulers of Europe may have
had for him, or rather for his position
Wehn the venerable King Christian of
the little Danish kingdom to the north
observed his birthday yesterday mes
sages of hearty congratulation poured
in upon him from all of the court of
Europe 1t is doubtful, however, if
King Leopold has received single
felicitous note on the occasion of his
birthday, though the foreign diplo-
mats, bound by custom and etiquette,
called to pay their respects on behalf
of their respective sovereigns. d
Among the soyereigns Of Europe
there, appears to be just at present a
we'll defined disposition to boycott the
Belgian king. "A short time ago it
was officially given out here that while
Prince and Princess Albert were likely
to visit the ST, Louis. Exposition it
would he impossible for King Leopold
TO cross the Atlantic owing to- the
necessity of his remaining at home to
welcome Emperor Francis Joseph to
Belgium in June, on the conclusion of
that rnonarch's visit to England In
response to this seni-oficial an
nouncenlent comes from Vienna to the
effect that the Austrian emperor has
for the present no intention whatever
OF paying a visit to Belgium.
King Leopold endeavored to have
the king and queen of Italy stop over
in Belgium on their return to Rome
from England last fall, but his efforts
were fruitless. 1t was announced that
Emperor William, when he started for
the Mediterranean last month would
stop over to see King Leopold, but as
matter OF fact the German Emperor
carefully avoided stopping at any Bel
gian port, though he took pains to
make stop at Dover. Since his ac-
eSNsSiOil INtltS 5l-uWdlQS lido tiSR NlE SNiSltCu
the court OF Brussels, though he is a
former friend Of Leopold and very
near relative. Even President Loubet
has turned deaf ear to the proposal
that he should return in state at Brus-
sells the numerous visits which King
Leopold has made to Paris.
Strange as it may appear, the gem
eral dislike with which he is regarded
abroad has raised the king in the esti-
nation Of his own people. The Bel
gians are content to criticise him them
selves, but do not like foreigners to do
so, regarding it as incumbent upon
their national dignity to defend their
chief executive from reproach. All
classes, excepting, OF course, the most
rabid socialists, are ready to admit
that, while all of the king $ public and
private acts are not to be approved
yet as a monarch he has been of in
I estiniable advantage to his country
contributing in no small measure to
the development of it's resources and
acquiring for it, BY his statecraft and
diplomacy, far more important role
in the concert Of the powers than is
warranted by its size.