The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-12-16
TENACIOUS STRUGGLE OF LEO
poLO WINS ADMIRATION OF
ALL BELGiANS.
IMPROVEMENT IS NOTED
Monarch Suffers q Relapse During
Afternoon and Grave Fears Are En-
tertained for His Recovery, But To-
ward Night a Change for the Better
utcome Still in Doubt.

tenacious struggle Is arousing the 10y
|lty and admiration of the people.
Eho are keenly following the develop
nents following yesterdays operation.
The bulletin issued tonight by the at
lending physicians state that the king
gaining. This has caused new hope
hat his rugged constitution will pull
i'm through. but 1t is feared at the
curt that his age will not permit ulti-
nate recovery.
After restful night the patients
ondition was described as stationary.
|ut in the afternoon unfavorable
ymptoms appeared and it soon be-
anne known that his majesty had suf-
ered a relapse. Toward evening. how
yer. Improvement was noted. and a
eassuring bulletin was issued as fol-
bws:
A"The kings condition Is somewhat
Improved; pulse. as: temperature. 99.5."
The fact that the temperature 30
ours or more after the operation is
ormal is considered an excellent
ign. At IL o'clock tonight announce
hent was made, though not officially,
hat the temperature was improved.
While the sovereign was fighting for
is life. parliament today was alb
orbed in one of the most vital ques-
ons affecting the nation. The great
ongo problem came before the legis-
tors for consideration and this
hatever may have been the scandal,
fuelty and oppression attending the
adership of Leopold-all Belgians
ished to see resolved on lines of hui
lanity and progress--and in a man.
er To convince the world that the
ongo is safe in Belgian hands.
stuns to Quick.
In spite of his apparent indiffer-
nee to criticism. there Is reason To
elieve that King Leopold was stung
} the quick by the worlds wrath over
Is conduct i'm the Congo matter. and
hat he never recovered from this. He
as always convinced that American
riticism was sincere, although he i'm
htientiy sought to explain to his
lends that II was the work of ''prat-
ing missionaries" He had an obes-
on. however. that the British attacks
gainst him were not free from .jeal-
hsy.
NJ. Renkin. minister for the colonies,
an impassioned speech i'm the cham
Pr today. repudiated the criticism EN-
hating from England that Belgium
as exploiting the natives and denied
he charges of oppression and cruelty.
Q pointed out that there had been
feat progress in the general pros
erity of the country in the ameliora-
on of the burdens of the natives and
safeguarding their health.
The minister asked the world to sus-
ind its opinion and give Belgium II
hance to show her worth. Whatever
le judgment may he on Leopold from
q broad standpoint of morality. it Is
teresting to note how his intellect
I'D personality have succeeded in i'm
rcssing both foreigners and Relgians
ith whom he came into intimate
intact. There is an unanimity of
binion that the king Is one of tho
rewdest and ablest of men with an
founding capacity for business. a
feat organizer rightly deserving the
lme of Leopold, the builder"
Enormous Wealth.
II is understood that King Leopold's
ealth Is enormous and II the figures
ERE given out they would startle the
prld. Much speculation. as to the
Fstination of his wealth has been
|oused by the announcement that he
Gently consulted Premier schoilaert
fth reference To a political testa-
ent.
The kings life has been shattered
domestic tragedies. His only son
dead and his eldest daughters have
|en hanished. Princess Louise has
|en divorced and pursued by cred
prs.
The king has never forgiven Prin-
IS Sfephanie because after the dark
|isode of her husbands death she in
Fted upon marrying Count Lonyay.
be king turned tn Princess Clemen-
he. upon whom he lavished affee-
Pn. But he found time to devote
nself also to Baroness Vaughan, on
hom he showered a fortune. 1t is
hispered in court that Leopold in
hds to provide handsomely for the
roness and her children.
Princess Stephanie. who reached
re today. was respectfully greeted
a crowd at the railroad station.
be is great favorite with the Bel
ans. The princess declared that sh.
me. not for material gain. but to see
father. who she loved. despite the
Fl that he had repuised her at her
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