The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-17
KING t s9P0LJ [ BE--.... y.-..y- ind Comes Suddenly After a
 Long, Hard Struggle g PRINCE ALBERT IS RULER New Ruler Is Popular With the Peo- pie and Outlook For Success
 ful Reign Is Considered
 Very Good.
PRINCE ALBERT IS RULER

Brussels, December liking Leopold died at 2:35 o'clock this morning, his aged and wasted body being unable to lapse occurred suddenly and at a moment when the doctors seemingly had had the greatest hopes for his recovery
 Through yesterday bulletins issued from the sick room indicated progressive inn provement. The bulletin posted at 6:30 D. m. gave the Kings temperature, pulse and respiration as practically normal. App parently the drainage of the wound was perfect, as no fever was present, and during the day the King had been able to take nourishment.i fl
 The public at large was satisfied that the King was on the road to recovery. but within the pavilion where the King lay there was a feeling of anxiety chiefly because of Leopold's great age After restful- day the patient was able to sleep for brief period early in the evening, and the night was passing quietly
 But toward o'clock alarming .symp- toms appeared. Suddenly the King turned and called to Dr. Thorlar: Jet ouffle, docteur, j'etouffief CT am suf- focating.'0
 Final Summons.
 Dr. De Page was summoned and the two physicians did everything possible to prolong life, but without avail The end came quickly and after period of weak ness-peacefully. Prince Albert arrived at the death bed about 25 minutes later. He was accompanied by Princess Clemen- tine Albert kissed the dead King and left the chamber weeping Baron Golf gonet the Kings secretary, started i'm mediately for Brussels to notify the mem- bers Of the royal family.
 As he entered his motor car he ex- claimed: "To. think that only yesterday we were full of confidence, and now the King is dead.'
 It appears that the doctors were totally unprepared for a fatal termination. It was a mum. acting a nurse. who first noted the heavy breathing of the King She called pr. Thoriar to ;t the bedside Both Drs Thoriar and De Page resorted to injections of morphine, but these had no effect.
 Sketches of the Two Kings.
 Leopold II, King of the Belgians. son of King Leopold l, upon whose death, which occurred December 10, 1S65 he succeeded to the throne. was born at Brussels April g, 1S31. His father was the former Prince of Sake and Coburg and Gotha and his mother was Princess Louse, daughter of King Louis Phillipe of France
 August 22. 1853. he married the Arch Duchess Marie Henrietta. daughter of Arch Dnke Joseph of Austria She died September 19, 1902
 There were three daughters born of this union, Louise, Steph anie and Clem- entine. The two elder princesses have been estranged from their father but Clementine remained in the kings af- fections. There being no direct heredi- tary heir the crown passes to Prince Albert the only son of Leopold's brother. the late Philippe. Count of Flanders. The new monarch was boN April s. 1875. and October ?, 1900 mar ried Princess Elizabeth of Bavaria. The couple have three children, Prince Leo pold, years old, Prince Charles years old, and Prince Marie Jose, who was horn August 4 1906.
 Prince Albert is one of the most pop ular members of the reigning house of Belgium. His wife Is equally popu-
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