Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-24
OVERTAKEN BY DEATH
MEMBER or 1NrERPARLIAMEN-
TARY UNION STRICKEN.
Mr.. Van Doorslaer, Secretary to Bel
gian Delegation Of Peace Congress,
succumbs to Heart Disease.

A sad incident In connection with the visit
here or the members Of the 1nterparliamen-
4tary Unf8as wasdtffe death last night of
Hector Ven .Doorslaer, clerk Of the house
Of deputies OF Belgium. in his room at the
Arlington. Mr.van Doorslaer was a guest
at a dinner given last evening at the New
Willard Hotter by the Belgian minister.
Houseau DeI.aiaie, to members Of the dele
CATION returning to the Arlington at a late
hour. <ss =
Mr.. Van Doorslaer reached his hotel about
midnight. and was in apparently excellent
health and spirits, and ehatted for some
time In the lobby with his friend. Mr.. de
Sadelaer. before retiring to his room.
He occupied room 116 on the fourth hoor
of the hotel, and not responding at $50
o'clock this morning to a call. the door of
his room was forced and he was found
dead in bed Life apparently had been ex-
tinct for several hours. and as 1t was soon
learned he had suffered for several years
with heart trouble, the conclusion was
reached that he suecumbed to this disease.
The District coroner reached tne notei
about noon, and after viewing the body
gave 2 certificate to the enect that death
resulted from natural causes
Held Positions Of Honor.
Mr.. Van Doorslaer was fifty-one years OF
age. and during his lifetime held numerous
positions Of honor and trust under the
Belgian government. For twenty-five
years he served as the official reporter Of
the Belgian house of deputies. In recogni-
ton OF his long and meritorious service he
was appointed one year ago clerk of the
house of deputies, an office OF great re-
sponsibility. For many years he was an
attorney-at-law in Brussels, and IN the
kingdom was solicitor of admitted abii-
ity. Mr.. Van DoorsIaer was secretary Of
the Belgian delegation to the international
peace conference recently held at st. Louis.
and was returning with the delegation TO
his native country.
1t is likely. that the remains will be taken
to Belgium for interment, although no ar
raEgements for the funeral have yet Deen
made. The Belgian minister In Washlng-
ton, Houseau De Lehaie, told reporter Tor
The Star this afternoon that he had wired
the dead mans relatives in Belgium ad-
ytsing them of his death and that the BODY
would be held awaiting their instructions.
Tributes to His Character.
Mr.. de Sadelaer, formerly speaker OF the
house of deputies of Belgium, and close
friend of the deceased, when seen by
Star reporter, spoke with much feeling of
the sudden death of his friend and the
warm relations which for years had exist
ed between them. HE was a man." he
said, ''of exceptional talents and was
known and respected throughout our xing-
dom as man..of the highest character.
For years our. political fortunes were In
measure linked very closely together When
1 was speaker of the house of deputies
found his services .as clerk invaluable. The
loss of such a personality as he possessed
will be deeply deplored throughout the king
DOM" ,dS K
Minister De Lehaie said that Mr.. van
Doorslaer was striking figure In the Bel
gian. government and d man of fine attain
ments. His DEATH he said, would be an IT.
reparable loss tosthe government.
Other distinguished members of the dele
cation spoke feelingly of Mr. Van Door
slaer's sudden demise. AS they mingled to-
gether In the lobby of the Arlington today a
gloom seemed to pervade the atmosphere
ard many expressions eulogistic of the dead
man were heard from the lips of his con-
temSorarieS : 14n- -@.t.r -.