The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-12-17
KING LEOPOLD OF
BELGIUM is DEAD
Continued from Page One,

Continued from Page One.
Louise, Stephanic and Clementinc. The
TWO elder princesses have been estrang
ed from their father. but Clcmentine
remained in his affections.
Prince Albert Succeeds.
There being no direct hereditary
heir, the crown passes 20 Prince Albert,
the only son of Leopold IS brother, the
late PHILIPPE, Count of Flanders The
new monarch was born on April S, 1915,
and on October ,, 1900. married Prin.
cess Elizabeth Of Bavaria. They have
three children, Prince Leopold, 5 years
old; Prince Charles, q years old, and
Princess Marie.Jose, 3 years old.
Prince Albert is one of the most
popular members of the reigning house
OF Belgium. His wife is equally popu-
lar, their homo life being such as to
attract the love of the people. Prince
Albert has travelled extensively and is
man of affairs In appearance he is
strlkingly like the late king, but their
dispositions and temperaments have al
ways been in contrast.
Prince Albert has been a great stu
dent OF politics and economics and has
frequently lectured on these subjects.
the world he visited the United States
and other countries, always studying
and always adding to his store OF
knowledge and philosophy.
Is Lover of Sport.
There is another side TO the new
KING which appeals to popular fancy.
He dearly loves clean and healthy sport.
He is an accomplished horseman. en-
joys motoring and has taken a flight
or two In a dirigible balloon.
In MS intercourse with others ne is
most gracious. His frank, good natured
face besPeaks intelligence and invites
confidence, Democratic in his tastes
and manners. he is nevertheless a man
of firm decision and kingly dignity.
While always conspicuous before the
public on account of the nature OF his
private life, particularly in recent wears,
King Leopold has recently had much of
the world against him, on account of
his attitude towards the Congo Inde-
pendent State. His great interest lay
In the development OF that country, for
and was its ruling sovereign The
Congo Free State in Western Africa
was recognized and defined by the CON
ference of European powers at Berlin
in 1885.
Worldwide Scandal.
1t was the successor of the Interna-
tional African association, established
by Leopold and organized by Stanley.
In that wear Leopold was constituted
as sovereign. BY VIII dated August 2,
1889. Leopold bequeathed 10 Belgium
the right TO annex the Congo State af-
ter ten years. The conduct of the gov
ernment of that state resulted in n
fierce dispute Of worldwide dimensions
and demand that a concert OF Euro.
pcan powers interpose in the interest
OF humanity. On November 10. 1908.
Belgium formally assumed control of
the state, and since then efforts at
reform have been inaugurated. but not
carried out in an entirely satisfactory
manner.
Criticisms against King Leopold in
this connection are said to have shat.
tered the buoyant spirits of the SOW.
erciga. although it was only in private
that he gave expression to these feel
lngs. He was proud of the work that
had been accomplished in that terri
tory. and at Antwerp made a remark
able speech. in which he said the an
neXation of the Congo Independent
State was the greatest satisfaction of
his life. He declared that the Congo
would play most important part in
the expansion of Belgium. It was be
cause Of his whole.souled interest in
the development of Congo in connection
with the progress of Belgium that his
own people, in measure, overlooked
the atrocities that were alleged against
him.
King Leopold was looked upon as one