The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-12-21
FIGHT FOR THRONE
LeOpOId'S Son May Dispute
Prince AIbert'S Claim.
MARRIED BARONESS VAUGHAN
Two Children Were Born From This
Union, the Eldest Five Years
0ld-Fight TO Keep Fortune
From Baroness

Brussels, Dec. lS.-A contest oFci
the succession 10 the throne OF Bel
gium is possible The Vatican hai con
firmed the marriage. a year ago. oil
King Leopold and Baroness Vaughan.
Two sons are said TO have been
born from this union and both sur
viye. The elder is Lucian. five years
old. II Is reported that he will claim
the throne. Prince Albert. the heir
presumptive. is nephew Of King Leo
pold H.
King Leopolds will contains the FOL
lowing:
"I die IN the Catholic religion and
| ask pardon for the faults | have or
may have committed | leave tha 49,
100000 francs which | received from
my father to my children. AMI l ask
that my funeral shall be simple and
held at Z o'clock in the morning and
shall be attended by the members OF
my household and stan.
Fight FOR Kings Wealth.
Almost before the body OF Leopold
had grown cold in death his daughter,
the Princess Louise. made a sensa'
tional attempt through agents IN Paris
10 seize property left by the ruioT in
the possession Of Baroness Vaughan.
A papal nuncio from Rome also an
nounced. few hours after Leo-old's
demise, that he had been married to
the baroness q year ago.
Dispatches from Rome say taa; the
Vatican confirms the statement ci the
marriage and adds that Il Occurred al
San Reno last year. A scandal taat
disgraces the Belgian people AMI n'de
all the nations Of the world voDier at
the tolerance shown by Leopold sab
jects is thus revived at It's h's est
pitch. while the public makes p END
ed sorrow over the national loss"
Baroness Keeps Profits.
Reports received fron Paris say
that the Baroness Vaughan wac had
borne Leopold children long be.ore
the marriage. foiled Lonise's agen' and
remained In control Of the vcl-oble
estate where she has bean sh- led
since the Belgian people male It so
unpleasant that she had TO leave the
country for the more hospitable sub
urbs of Paris.
A whirlwind Of discussion Is now
sweeping Belgium as 70 tie last hours
OF the old monarch. Diepa;ches report
that during his Illness the Baroness
Vaughan constantly attended m
coming and going by means Of pri
vate passsgeway between her man
sion and the kings pavilion.
Present at Dcath.
She was present when he received
the last sacraments Wednesday pre-
venting Prince ALBEIT. the heir to the
throne. and Princess Clemeniine from
being present on account OF their un
willingness to meet her.
"When the king died" saws cor
respondent. "the baroness threw her
self upon the body weeping bi terly
snd herself closed his eyes
In spite of the bitter opposition o.
Leopold's children of royal rank, the
new king. and the entire legislature
and people of Belgium, the woman ant
her two children will probably inherit
a great part of LeOpold's private for
tune. which is estimated at 100000,
600.
May ExpeI Her.
Unless the Baroness Vaughan iee'
from Belgium during the neyt ev
days. threats have been made b" TIT
authorities that she will be expelled
It is said that a bailif appcn~el a
her mansion, adjacent TO The Pl rs
the pavilion where the king die' ~
ATTEMPTED to serve her with a forma
notice of seizure on behalf OF Ia
pold's daughter. the Princess Louis
Of Saxony. This she successfully e,ad
ed. The matter will be taken to IN
courts.
I,eopold will be buried with eroa
pomp next wednesday from m
| Church of St. Mary's at Brussels Fo
lowing the funeral ceremonies IN
body win be taken. followed by
train of all the great dlgni aries O
Belgium. to the crypt Of ST. Mary''
where It will be placed beside thos
:. ~ fo+bar apd of HIS wife