New-York tribune., 1909-12-17
LEOPOLD'S LONG LIFE.
He Reigned in Belgium Forty
four Years.

Leopold ii. for forty-four years King OF
Belgium, left behind him a record Of con-
tradictions. By his able management Of his
cOuntry's affairs he placed that insignificant
state on a plane of great domestic pros
perity and worldwide Importance and won
the credit Of being one OF the most astute
monarchs in history. Yet as sovereign of
the Congo Free State he was called the
''Caligula OF Belgium" So notorious was
his private reputation that he was known
as the ''profiigate Of Europe"
LEOPOLD THE KING.
Said a prominent Belgian few years
ago: Il am a republican in politics and
believe in equal rights and democratic in
stitutions; but the King OF our country is
a president good enough for me.
The King is the wisest and most enlight-
ened ruler on the Continent" That was
Leopold the King. the man who imbued
Belgium with the modern spirit.
From the moment that Louis Philippe
Marie Victor became Leopold III at the
death Of his father on December 10. 1867.
he chose the policy Of England as the
model for Belgium and began urging the
doctrine OF colonization and extension of
trade. He advocated a merchant marine
and the sending OF samples Of Belgian man.
ufacture TO all parts OF the world. Under
his direction the railroads OF the country
were built up TO meet the demands of
growing trade. He advocated the construc-
tion Of strong navy. but did not favor a
burdensome military policy. In the early
days of his reign he made great municipal
improvements. He beautifed the capital
and leading cities Of the kingdom. 1t was
he who made Ostend a popular watering
nd
Antwerp, Naumur. Mons. Iiege. Charleroi
and Verviers all bear testimony to-day TO
his activity in this direction.
He ALWAYS showed great interest in the
working classes. Improved houses and old
age pensions were among his accomplish
ments in their behalf In 1899. when two
million francs had been subscribed 20 cele-
brate with Dageants the anniversary of his
accession, he caused this fund to be devot-
ed TO the pensiOning OF injured wOrkmen.
Nevertheless, labor and sOcialistic agita-
tiOns alone disturbed his generally prosper
Gus and tranquil reign. These difficulties
were met 20 a certain extent by a gradual
broadening OF the suffrage. In 1893 the
right TO vote was conferred on all male
citizens above the age of twenty-five. The
struggle between the Clerical and Liberal
parties the chief political feature of
his reign. In ISIS the Liberals gained a
majority. which they lost in 1854. and failed
TO regain in 1890. Soon after followed a re-
vision OF the constitution. and at the cleo
tiOns In 1894 the ClericaIs were returned
with a great majority over the Liberals
and Socialists combined.
BELGIUM AND THE CONGO
The effect on Belgium of her Kings ac-
tivity in the Congo IS a subject Of divided
opinion. Many maintain that the nation
received little benefit as far as trade was
concerned Yet there Is little doubt that
the Kings rule over an empire with mill
ions OF Banta subjects added dignity to
Belgium which offset the colonial empire
or Holland. The .nismanageInent of that
African territory and consequent world
wide scandal had i'm recent years become
a serious problem to the Belgian govern
ment
Leopold obtained his results through his
influence and advice rather than by any
pretence OF authority. lie was ever
scrupulously constitutional ruler. In inter
nal politics he was tactfully inactive. lie
was an Industrial rather than a political
leader. While the bill for proportional
representation was stirring all Belgium
and a Cabinet crisis was impending Leopold
took a vacation in Geneva incOgnitO. Tele-
grams were sent TO all his favOrite haunts
imploring him 20 return. as the bill had
been rejected Leopold waited. however
tn the country had calmed down. then
went quietly back In international affairs
he was equally cautious. In all Contlnen-
tai matters he remained dscreetly neu-
tral. and never aroused resentment In any
Of the powers.
Il 81 l. IL
day by giving 10 Belgium such palaces Of
OF his as were his private property. These
included the beautiful Chateau OF Iaeken
in the suburb Of Brussels; his palace at Os-
tend. and Ciegnon. his magnificent hunting
lodge in the hNart of the Ardennes.
LEOPOLD THE BUSINESS MAN
Leopold III in his aptitude for a com
mercial career resembled King George Of
Greece and. King oscar OF Sweden, both Of
whom ascended their thrones poor men
and became enormously rich. The ruling
house OF Belgium was not wealthy when
the second Leopold began his reign. and
his early speculations were not successful
In 1876. however he organized at Brussels
the African International Association 10
utilize African discoveries. and three years
later Stanley went to Africa under his
patronage. Then there was called at Brus-
sels a conference under the title Of La
Comite d'Etude du Haut Congo. This
paved the way for the Berlin act called
the Great Charter Of the Congo Free
State. passed in 1855 by an international
conference ~ Berlin, in which fourteen
powers were represented out Of the
Comite grew the International Association
Of the Congo The Berlin act provided for
free trade. no monopoly and the abolition
OF slavery and cannibsl!sm. As the leader
Of the movement, Leopold naturally was
chosen sovereign The decree which gave
him that power declared that the relations
between Belgium and the Congo were
purely personal"
In 1859 the King in his viii bequeathed
his Congo sovereignty 20 the nation. The
next wear. I'm return for the guarantee Of a
loan for exploiting the Free State. Belgium
received the right To annex that territory
.f,ar ten wears The government did not