The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-17

Continued from Page One.9
paper charges that Baroness Vaughan
was constantly at the bedside of the
king, even being present when extreme
JUNCTION was administered whereas the
kings daughters and his repheWs were
not admitted The question was put by
the Soir to Manager Coereman, the
venerable royal chaplain, if the king
had married Baroness Vaughan, ac-
cording to the provisions oe the religious
ceremony. adding that all Belgium was
eStonished and scandaliZed that the
church would sanction the presence OF
the woman near the kings couch While
the priest came on his sacred mission,
The chaplain intimated that the mar
rage exists, and said that his con-
science was clear about his visit to the
king. The church's code of morals, he
added, was the same for, the king as
for the people and in conclusion he
said:
From the standpoint of the church,
the kings situation is regular"
The Congo Affair.
BY a will dated August 81 1889. Leo
pold bequeathed to Belgium the right
TO annex the Congo state after a per-
iod of ten years. The conduct of the
government of that state resulted in
fierce dispute of Worldwide dirnen-
sions and demand that concert of
European powers interpose in the al
legged interest of humanity. On No
vember Is, 1908, Belgium formally as
sumed control of the state and since
the efforts at reform have been inaugu-
rated, but not carried out, in an en-
tirely satisfactory manner.
Criticisms against King Leopold in
this connection are said to have shat
tered the buoyant spirits of the SOW
ereign. although it was only in private
that he gave expression to feeling. He
was proud of the work that had been
accomplished in that territory and at
Antwerp. one day. made a remarkable
speech, in which he said the annexa-
tion of the Congo independent state
was the greatest satisfaction of his life.
He declared that the Congo would play
a most important part in the eXpan-
sion of Belgium.
1t was because of his wholesouled in
terest in the development of Congo in
connection with the progress of Belgi
UNI, that his own people in a measure
overlooked the atrocities which were
alleged against him. King Leopold was
looked upon as one of the shrewdest
and ablest men of the time.
He was of particularly independent
spirit and more than once is said to
have told other sovereigns. who at
tempted to advise him in connection
with his private affairs. to mind their
own business For this reason King
Leopold had estranged himself from
many of the courts of Europe.
Baroness Vaughan. who is said to
have been the kings morganatic wife,
occupies a chateau close to the pavilion
the daughter of parents of the name of
DelaCroix. who were conclerges, or jan
itors, first at Liebe and afterward in
Paris Her mother is dead and her
father is an inmate of an asylum for
the insane. She is the mother of two
children.
King Leopold spent a great deal of
his time with the baroness and gave his
ministers much concern on this ac-
count. At one time there was talk of
his abdication. but as Jnths went by,
his subjects apparently became accus-
toned to his way and talk of abdica
tion became a thing of the past.
The. Dead King and His Successor.
Leopold II. king of the Be1gians,
son Of the late King Leopold 1. upon
whose death which occurred Deem
Der 10. 1855. he succeeded to the
throne, was born at.-Brussels April 9,
1897. His father was the former
prince of Sake Coburg- Gotha and his
mother Princess Louise, daughter of
King Louis Philippe, of France. On
duchess Maria Henrietta, daughter of
Archduke Joseph of Austria. She
died September 10, 1902
There were three daughters born
of this union. Louise, Stephenie and
Clementine. The two elder princesses
father. but Clementine remained in
his affections
There being no direct hereditary
heir. the crown passes to Prince AL
bert. the only son. of Leopold's
brother, the late PHILIPPE Count of
Flanders. The new monarch was
born April 8, 1875, and on October g
1900 married Princess Elizabeth of
Bavaria: they have three children,
Prince Leopold, 8 years old. Prince
Charles. years old and Princess
Marie-Jose, who was born Aug
ust 4. 1906.
Prince Albert is one of the most
popular members of the reigning
house of Belgium. His wife is equally
popular. their home life being such
as to attract the admiration and love
of the people. Prince Albert has
travelled extensively and is a man of
affairs. In appearance he is strik-
ingly like the late King but their dis
positions and temperaments have al
ways been in marked contrast.
Prince Albert has been great