New-York tribune., 1909-12-17

despite great differences Of opinion. II is
generally agreed that there still remains
vast deal OF corruption and consequent
suffering In Africa for which Leopold
was responsible. Many critics accused
him of heartlessly exploiting the natives
for his own personal gain. He said in
HIS own defence that these tales OF cruelty
were inventions and tnat he had as a
matter OF fact. lost money in the Free
State. 1t has been a general impression.
however. that Leopold had made a vast
fortune out OF his rich African conces-
sions
In this country. as in all other civilized
nations. the protests OF the missionaries
against Congo cruelties were for years
the cause OF great popular excitement In
1904 the first memorial OF the mission
aries was introduced in the United States
Senate. Hearings were held. but no re-
port was ever made In 1906 Secretary
Root was asked by Congressman Denby
representing a large body or constituents.
IL the United States could not interfere In
the Congo. Mr.. Root declared such in
reference was unwarranted. as the United
States was not a sienatOry to the general
act OF Berlin. In February OF 1907 the
Senate passed a resolution asking for an
international investigation of the Congo
charges. Meanwhile Belgium herself had
become aroused, and the tide of public
sentiment turned against Leopold. The
proposition OF taking over the Free State
again came up. and after a long Iegisla-
tive and diplomatic struggle the annexa-
tion of last year resulted.
While the Congo was Leopold's chief
business enterprise. II was only one Of
many He was interested in the HankOw.
Peking & Canton Railroad In China, in
railroads In his own country. in japanese
promotion schemes, In nitrate fields, and
even. IT is said. in several gambling houses
at Ostend. Spa and elsewhere.
LEOPOLD THE MAN.
As a man. Leopold exhibited character
of great interest Born in 1885. of Leo
pOld i of Belgium and Princess Louise.
daughter of Louis Philippe, citizen King Of
the French, he received the education and
training customarily given an heir pre-
sumptlve. He was made Duke of Brabant
at eleven, and put through the army from
the grade of sub-lieutenant to that of lieu
tenant general. At eighteen he married
Marie Henriette, daughter of Archduke Jo-
seph OF Austria. and on his majority he
entered the Belgian Senate. During the
following five years he travelled in Spain,
Morocco. Algiers. Egypt. Palestine. India
and China. He had been called the most
travelled monarch in Europe; and so exten-
sive was his knowledge OF International
affairs and so clear his judgment that the
personal weekly letter which he made II q
practice to write to Queen Victoria had at
times no little influence upon the foreign
policy of the British government, even
ha
Through the house of Coburg- GOtha. Leo
pold was a cousin of Queen Victoria. His
intimacy with the English court has been
a tradition OF his reign that aided his
diplomacy in protecting the integrity OF his
little kingdom against the counter intrigues
of both Napoleon III and the King OF
Prussia.
Leopold was a man of misfortunes. His
only son, Prince Leopold. died in 1863, at
the age of ten. I'm a manner so mysterious
and sudden that to this day many believe
he was poisoned His favorite nephew and
heir also met a violent death. His only
sister. ex-E;mpress Charlotte of Mexico.
wife Of the ill fated Macmillan. became a
raving lunatic. while his oldest daughter,
Princess Louise, after running away from
her husband. Prince Phillip OF Saxe-COburg
and GOtha. was also declared insane and
placed in an asylum. from which she later
escaped and returned TO Lieutenant Count
Mattachick, the Hungarian, with whom she
eloped. A few weeks ago she was injured
IN an automobile accident in Vienna and
disfigured for life. The second daughter. the
Princess Stephanie, Countess OF LOnyay.
married Crown Prince Rudolph OF Austria
I'm 1881. and was left widow by the Meyer
ling tragedy in 1889 She was married a sec
Ond time in 1900. TO Eiemer. Count LOnyay.
against the wishes of her father, who re-
fused to allow the marriage to be legaliZed.
In 1893 she sued her father for her share In
her mothers estate. The youngest daugh-
ter. Princess Clementine. never married
She had been engaged TO wed her cousin.
Prince BaudOuin but he was murdered a
few days before the date set for their mar
Tiage. Queen Marie Henriette. his royal
wife. died I'm 1892. and for years before that
the royal couple had not lived together in
harmony. Shortly after the Queens death
Leopold made Baroness de Vaughan his
mOrganatic wife and installed her I'm the
Chateau de DOrmoy. twelve miles from
Paris On her children, il is said. ne had
settled large fortunes