The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-24
Successor of Leopold Takes the Oath of Office Amid
 PIaudits of His People
YOUNG SOVEREIGN lS
 LOVED BY SUBJECTS
Signs of Mourning for Dead King Are Quickly Replaced By Nations colors and People Rejoice
 Over New Ruler.

Brussels, December 2S.--Prinee Albert. son of the late Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders. was crowned King Of the Belgians today. assuming the title Of Albert l. With his queen, Elizabeth and their sons, Princes Leopold and Charles. the new King rode in state from LariSen to the parliament, acclaimed by thous- ands along the gaily decorated streets The oath of office was administered be- fore g joint session of the houses of par liament and the feeble attempt of the socialists to sound a discordant note was drowned by the cheers of the loyal ists.
 In his speech from the throne King Albert said
 T pledge myself to do my duty scrup- ulously and to concentrate all my strength and devote my whole life to the service of the fatherland.D
 Tonight the city is alive with lights and merrymaktng strangely contrasting with the depression and signs of mourn- ing that prevailed immediately following the death of Leopold. But the explana- tion is to be found in the personal pop ularity Of King Albert and his queen, and the high position they hold in the esteem of the nation.
 Merrymaling Everywhere.
 Yesterday all Bengium 1nourned To- day the somber symbols of inouring had been repis ced with the tfiteolores ori4 fiamrne and everywhere there was mer- rynlaking
 In the house of parliament the new monarch made an address destined hy Its democratic tone and sunequivocating expressions on the great question of tine Beigion Congo, it is declared, to at tract the attention of the world
 Colonization should mean civilization" said the King. ''rhe nation desires policy of humanity and progress in the Congo and no one has right to doubt her promises that such policies will be maintained.
 At daybreak the streets were again crowded with many thousands of spec tators Windows balconies and roofs were filled and standing room on wagons, tables chairs and ladders was sold at extraordinary prices.
 Preceded by Queen Elizabeth and the
 
 who occupied the royal coach Albert made joyous entry into tIse city.
 The King was mounted on a spirited charger and made a striking picture Tn the gold and white uniform Of a general He repeatedly acknowledged the piaudits of the people and smiled with unconcealed pleasure and pride as shower of flowers fell upon the Queens coach.
 At the hall of deputies the demonstra- ton continued for many minutes.
 New Monarch's Pledge.
 Standing before the assemblaee of bril- liantly uniformed princes and foreign rep resentatves bishops and senators, AL bert, in another setting would have passed for young college professor ad- dressing his rowdy class.
 In an agreeable voice and speaking de- liverately, the new monarch pledged him self to woork for the social advancement of the nation and the elevation of the moral and intellectual standard of the people He would seek. he said to de- velop the system of popular education and labor unceasingly for the general well be- ing of the masses.
 Albert paid a high tribute to Leopold IT and the latter's policy in opening the Congo to Belgian activities. He outlined a programme of humanity and progress and was greeted with storm of applause as he declared proudly that Belgium had always kept her promises and no one had a right to doubt her word"
 Later in the day the King received the address Of parliament. Tntimates of the King informed the Associated Press to- day that the new monarch proposed 10 apply himself with all the energies at his command to the solution of the Congo ft.@x. I dependency. It is his great ambition to justify in the eyes of the worold. it Is de- cared the sovereignty of Belgium over the Congo.
 Tribute to Predecessors.
 King Albert's speech from the throne was an eloquent tribute to Leopold I and to his uncle. the late King Leopold II. He declared that the latter had per- formed a prodigious work in Africa, with the constant thought of enrichlng the na- ton and increasing the economic resources of Belgium
 The new monarch expressed hls grati- tude for foreign sympathy at the death of Leopold saying that the special missions dispatched to yesterdays funeral testi- fled to the admiration fet in other coun- tries for the high qualities of the late King.
 Turning to the subject Of Belginm's fu- ture, King Albert said: We must con tinue our unshakable attachment to con- stitutional liberty and love of independ- ence and thus hold sacred our patrimony while advancing before the peaceful con- quests in the fields of labor and science
 'ln the Congo the nation wshes . policy of humanity and progress enforced. The mission of colonization cannot bo other than mission of high civilization Belgium always has kept her promises. and when she engages to apply in the -~~~--~--~>--->-~>->~
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