Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-17
KING LEOPOLD WORSE;
He SUFFERS A RELAPSE
Word Comes From Cham
Der That Aged Monarch
Hasn't Rallied

BRUSSELS. Dec. 15.-The death of
King Leopold appears imminent. He had
distinct relapse this evening and is
being kept alive through artificial
means. Tubes have been inserted in
the intestnes to fulfill the functions,
the natural operation of which has been
stopped by paralysis.
Court circles have practically no hope
of the patients survival.
The condition not King Leopold. who
was operated or yesterday for the re-
moval of an obstruction of the intestines,
took a turn for the worse this afternoon
The morning bulletin was hopeful in
tone, declaring the patients state as
Stationary"
During the night he had held his own
apparently. In the middle of the after
noon, word came from the sick chamber
that his majesty had suffered a relapse.
CONFIDENCE WAVES.
Popular confidence in the ultimate re-
covery of King Leopold waned today. His
unexpected survival of yesterdays oper-
alton had encouraged anticipation of
good news today.
The day was in keeping with the pre-
vailing pessimism, The air cold and raw,
with a heavy snowfall drifting in the
streets. A handful of newspaper men
braved the storm and kept watch before
the simple house near the royal palace.
In spite of reports made officially this
morning that the royal patient had a fair
night the general feeling remained one OF
depression. DR.. DePage remained at the
bedside throughout the night, while two
nurses were at hand prepared to wait up
on his majesty. The latter however,
was obdurate and insisted that his faith
full valet Rajart, alone should attend to
his wants. DR.. Goossens, whom Leopold
called that ferocious Goossens'' because
the physician forbade him to talk, comes
and goes at regular intervals and sees to
it that the king does not waste his
strength i'm interviews and conversations.
This evening there appeared to be no
immediate danger Of death, but the king
had experienced a return of an old in
testinal complication and it was feared
that this would initiate against the ulti-
mate success of yesterdays operation.
1t was reported that Leopold declined
to see his daughter, Stephanie Countess
Lonyay, the kings second daughter, ar
rived here today, but it was rumored
that she was not Above dto see her
father because of his weakness.
SKETCH OF KINGS LIFE
King Leopold is the most ruinous and
most despised figure in world affairs for
the last 20 years.
Behind the mind of this man, who at
once is profligate, monarch and despot,
is a genius for acquisition and organi-
zation. His wealth is estimated at fully
$500, O0O0 600.
Leopold was horn April 9. 1885, and has
ben king for A years. Doubtless the YER
dict of Europe that is Leopold has been
one of the most persistent seekers after
pleasure of any monarch of the last two
centuries.
DIssIPATED IN PARIS.
He was for years notable figure in the
under world of Paris. Leopold has no liv-
ing son. The death of the only male OFF,
spring of his marriage with Maria Hen
riette of Austria, Prince Leopold III,
count of Hainault, who at the age of 10
was seized with a fatal illness, was the
great disappointment of his life Maria
Henriette died in 1902 leaving three
daughters. The eldest daughter is Prin-
cess Louise, and is married to Prince
Philip of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
The only brother of King Leopold,
Prince Philip Eugene, died four years ago
leaving Two daughters and a son. The
son, Prince Albert of Flanders, is the
recognized heir to the vacant throne.
He is declared to be far superior to the
king in ability.
SOME VIRTUES.
If throughout his long career King Leo
pold has been a cold-blooded, self-seek-
ing voluptuary and money-grabber, he
has some redeeming virtues. For moro
than 40 years he kept a promise to his
mother never to sign a death warrant.
He willed to the people of Belgium his
colossal interests in the Congo.
When many years younger Leopold was
a master horseman; he was, too. an ar
dent politician, a first rate linguist and
clever public speaker.
But all his accomplishments pale into
insignificance in comparison with his
fnanciering ability and especially with
his manipulations which earned for him
the title of 1.-The Vampire of the Congo"
Leopold is the developer of the indus
tries of the Congo Free State, and un-
less a host of creditable witnesses have
told lies about him, Leopold was one of
the most sinister and terrible figures to
be met in Connection with the blood-stain
ed annals of the dark continent.
HIS BUSINESS SENSE.
Leopold's business acumen made him
ambitious to WELD an influence beyond
the borders Of his little kingdom, and so
he set about to exploit the Congo state
when reports of its natural resources
were brought to Europe by explorers.
He established an empire there, auto
cratic and domineering. He invested, all
told. something like $6,OOO,O 900, and he drew
from his speculations over $5,0OOOOO a
year His profits arose exclusively from
his loot of the ivory trade and from his
exaction Of an enormous tribute from the
india rubber business.
In the highlands of the Congo he set
out to develop the gold mining industry
through the operations of T. F. Walsh,
of Colorado, who was practically the
kings business manager and silent part
her.