New-York tribune., 1909-12-23
LEOPOLD BURIED
UITH ROYAL PONP.
Great Cro5cds Nearly Breai;
UD the Funeral Procession.

Brussels Dec The body OF Leopold ~.
King OF the BeIgisns. was placed TO-DAY n
the roval burial vauit IN the church of 81
Mary at Isckeu close % the suburban
residence Of the rovaI family. Near y rest
the bodies OF his Queen Marie Henrietts'
The Princess Josephine and the YOUNG DuAs
Of Brabant
The funeral and burial were conducted
with an the pomp and ceremony Of Whica
tho state was capable despite ths wish ex-
pressed By the monarch in his viii that th>
obsequies should be of the simplest A
holiday had been proclaimed. and th0u-
sands Of persons flied the streets durtns
the services Early IN the day the body
was taken from the royal palace - ths
Cathedral OF 81. Michel and ste. Guduis.
where impressive funeral rites vers held.
From the church the cOrtege NOV ed %
Iaeken.
\ torreutisI rain. accompanied BY a dr1v-
ing wind. ushered In the funeral dav. hus
as the imposing military cortege left the
royal palace and slowly moved 70 IN.
cathedral the dOwnpour ceased. the zai-
died away. and there remained such a dull.
gray morning as marked the sovereisus
death.
The scene was impressive as the process
sion passed through the streets. vhos-
crowds. massed on the sidewalks. paid re-
spectfuI homage
More impressive spectscle. however.
was the scene At the Cathedral % -
Michel and Ste. GuduIe. thar ma snificenr
Gothic pile which from the citvs eminsuCs
dominates the many architectural beauties
Of ancient Brussels. The nave Of the cathe-
dral was drsDed with long tapestries o.
black bordered with white. and forming
sombre background for the famous statues
OF the Apostles.
The catafalquC. surnounted by the crown
and embedded IN mass % glowing tapers.
rested i'm the centre of the transept. on
either side were streamers Of mourning
suspended from the mammoth dome above.
The massive main altar was ablaze with
candles. In the body OF the church vers
grouped foreign princes. diplomats. delega-
tions and government officials
The cortege entered the transepr portal
headed by officers of the army and civic
guard in fun uniform and followed by tha
judges in their scarlet robes, the minister's
members Of parliament and MANY priests.
The priests intonation Of Dc Profundis
filed the great edidce as the huge cross
appeared. followed ny the rich robed Car
dinal Mercier. Archbishop OF MaIines. vi1os@
tall figure and pale. sscetic face gave added
solemnity 10 the occasion Behind the vel
welt covered coffin walked Prince Albert.
who wore the uniform OF a general.
A solemn requiem mass was celebrated
BY the Cardinal. The famous colIsztsts
choir OF Brussels rendered. without organ
accompaniment. a funeral anthem The
mass was followed by the rites OF absOiu-
ton. performed over the BODY by I've
bishops and the Papal NunciO. This con-
cluded. the cortege was reformed and pro-
ceeded 10 the church az Laeken. where the
burial took place.
As the military procession left the cathe-
drsI and passed through the denser parts
Of the city the crowds increased and i'm
patiently surSed against the cordons OF
soldiers who guarded the line os ma-vh.
The soldiers we're unable 20 restrain ths
spectators. who soon became riotous. For
a time disorder Teigned. The lines were
broken. and in the hopeless confusion thar
followed the carriages OF the members oc
parliament were intercepted ana the funeral
parade nearly broken I'D. The poIics AMI
soldiers struggled with the excited people.
and in the clash many persons were -
bruised that they were later sent 70 the
hospitals
At Laeken a solemn burial service Vas
held. The brilliant assemblage included IN,
women OF the royal family Several r,ss-
siOnaries from the Congo including a
negro. were present.
Pontoise. France. Dec. se-Iucf-n s-+
Philippe. the sons OF the late King rso-
pold. accompanied by their governess. drov-
from BalincOurt 70 the little village 80 A.
ronville to-day and attended a special -,as,
celebrated by Able MOrnant for the r.
pose Of the mOnarch's soul The hoys wo~.
Nhlte sailor suits. upon the sleeves OF