The newspaper., 1908-12-11

days they had deposed the old authorities and APP
pointed provisional government and announced
that constitution was being prepared In which
promised freedom of education, of the press and
of religious worship. In the time. after mature
deliberaton. the London ackno wledged the
independence of Belgium, but Holland refused to ac
knowledge such independence and declared war
against Belgium. England and France were COM
PEELED interfere and blockade the coast of Holland
which brought the Dutch to terms. ana treaty was
signed London May 81. 1888. since which time poor
little war worn Belgium has known peace,
The government of Belgium II n limited constitu-
tional monarchy. and tine kingshp Is hereditary but
with "A perpetual exclusion OF females the male de-
scendants Of females of royal blood. The legislative
power vested in the King and two chambers, the
senate. house of deputies. and the chamber Of rep
resentatves. The king has the power to dissolve
either both The senators and representatives
elected from forty-one different districts The voters
be males. Belgians by birth naturalization.
- years old and pay taxes to the amount OF one
pound. 10 shllins and pence. Senator's must be 10
years Of age and pay ht least 1000 horns OF direct
taxes Representatives require property qualln-
cations The senate consists Of half the number Of
representatives but elected for eight instead
Of four
responsible ministry with the king as its presi-
dent IL at the head of all public affairs and its
carried into effect by the governors of the
several provinces. Tile ministry Includes departments
for home and foreign affairs finance. Justice. public
works and The administration of justice
tains the form of French Jurisprudence.
The standing army oil Belgium ~ iorineu by CON
scripton every healthy man past nineteen years Of
age being liable, substitution being allowed. The le
gal period service is eight years, but about five
years OF the eight allowed on furlough. law
passed 1865 makes the strength OF the army 100000
on a war footing and 49, 900 in times Of peace.
In 1891 Prince Leopold Of Sax Coburg. was elected
Belgum's first king with title of Leopold l. After
prosperous reign OF "a years he succeeded by his
SON. Leopold III, who still occupies the throne.
Leopold the II gave vigorous support to the ex
porations OF Stanley in Central Africa and consist
entity opposed the maintenance of slavery in that
region. The Congo international Congress made his
government the controlling influence in the Congo
Free State. Apropos OF Leopold's opposition to sav
cry at present time quote the following from
late issue Of the Youths Companion:
s"The Belgian Chamber OF Deputies, after strug-
gle continuing through several months. has adopted
the Congo annexation treaty and the accompanying
colonial bill submitted by the government. The
Chamber, however, amended the bill as to relieve
Belgium OF financial responsibility for the admnistra
ton OF Congo state. This brings the bill into
Belgium is responsible for the interest the Congo
debt. The government resisted the amendment but
was forced to yield. Another important modification
of the bill s a clause providing for the abolition OF
forced native labor, which, under the personal admin
istration Of King Leopold, has been attended with
shocking crueties
Albert a son OF the Count OF Flanders the brother
of King Leopold is the heir presumptive to the Bel
pian throne He married in 1900 to Princess
Elizabeth, OF Bavaria.