Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-17

BRUSSELS, December 17.-An Brussels
mourns today. Flags on public buildings
are at half-mast and private houses are
draped with crepe.
The body of the king, clothed in the
uniform of lieutenant general, remains
I'm the chamber of The Palms." where
death entered last night. 1t is sur
rounded, during the morning, by only
those who in life had won and retained
the kings close friendship.
The public was admitted to the NOR
tuary chamber at o'clock this after
noon, where the body lay in state for two
hours before its removal to the palace
in Brussels. Thousands passed before
the bier on the opposite side of which
stood two officers and two nuns.
The newspaper correspondents also were
admitted to the room, whose bare walls
and simple furnishings were In marked
contrast With thu ss&nsrounAausss sghach the
oceupslA As8 sH36Sed I'm life.
Two hickefing candles threw an uncer-
tain light on face as yellow as wax, bu,
which in death had lost none of its aus
terity. The long. square-cut beard was
snowy white.
The expression on the dead monarch 8
face is peaceful. as though the end was
painless. The body will be placed in a
casket this evening, when a period Of
mourning officially viii begin.
0bsequies at st. Gudula.
Immediately following Leopold's death
two nuns laid out the body. Prepara-
tons for conveying it TO the city proper
were made. The obsequies will take place
at the collegiate Church OF st. Gudula
This morning. early Premier Schollaert
proceeded to the palace. Under his di-
rection the official Moniteur published a
special number announcing the forma-
lion of a regency council composed OF
the council and ministers. which will
aominally hold the reins of government
until the heir to the throne. Prince Al
bert. has taken the oath of accession.
After much persuasion today Baron
Goff1net. private secretary to King Leo
pold. who is gseatiy affected by the
sudden termination of the kings ILL
ness. described the scene at the palace
The kings body" said the baron,
rests on his bed His expression is
peaceful. All IN the household are il
tears, gathered about the body.
I'VE have informed the ministers OF
he sad event.
The newspaper correspondents were not
permitted in the palace this morning
Voluminous Will in Court.
III Is said that Leopold's will consti-
tutes good-sized volume Baron Gofi.
net has intrusted the will to the custody
of the courts.
The Princess Ciementne and her sis
ter Stephanie, with the Countess of Elan
ders, were at the palace at an early
hour They were followed soon by Bar
oness Vaughan, whom the kiEg mar
.sed with religious ceremony in Ital,
some time ago. according to report The
latter proceeded to Balincourt refusing
to be interviewed.
The municipal theaters will be CLOSED
for time. The court will go into mourn
ing for six months. while the period O.
mourning for the household will continu,
for one year. Newspapers this morning
appear edged In black
This morning NJ. j. Davignon ministe
sf foreign affairs, officially notified th
sovereigns and chiefs of state of Europ
II the death of the King of the Belgians
kilograms OF coincidence were receive,
eariy from King Edward and Queer
Alexandra. Emperor William, King Al
.onso. Emperor Francis Joseph Kin,