New-York tribune., 1909-12-14
KING NEAR DEATH
LITTLE HOPE FOR
BELGIAN RULER.
Operation Expected To-day
Sovereign Calmly Prepares
to Meet End.

Brussels. Dec 13.-LeopoId II. King Of
the Belgians. is making a desperate
fight with death tonight, and the odds
are strongly against the aged monarch
AS last resort the surgeons knife will
be tried tomorrow. If the operation is
successful. King Leopold may live. All
will depend on the Kings strength and
vitality. which are fast ebbing.
Rheumatism has already conquered the
wasted frame. Dropsy has developed.
and an obstruction of the intestines.
which must be removed. has greatly ag-
gravated his condition
The genere-. opinion is that the King
will not Survt-e the operation and that
he may die at any moment The mon
arch himself is rather optimistic. and
to-day said 20 his physician: Operate.
and the sooner the better" But he
added with wistful smile; Perhaps.
doctor. the long. long journey is at
hand"
The Kings intellect is still as lucid
as ever. The mind which conceived and
carried out the gigantic Congo project
and reused resentment and discussion
all over the world calmly directed what
seems TO be the fnaI chapter in his
spectacular career Separated from his
two eldest daughters by tragic skein
of events. with scandals of his own per-
sOnal life whispered by every tongue.
Leopold lay tonight in The Palms a
little pavilion Of six rooms. near the
great empty Laeken Castle. surrounded
by his faithful daughter. Princess
Clementine, Crown Prince Albert and
the royal household The castle IS
empty. for the King sold all the furni-
ture, dismissed the servants and with
drew to the pavilion. not far from the
chateau which is the home OF his most
intimate friend. Baroness Vaughan
While il is understood that a whim OF
the sovereign caused the closing of the
castle. this action probably had 70 do
with the Kings plan 20 place most OF
his personal and real property in con-
troll of stock company. 20 permit the
inheritance 20 pass TO his daughters un-
disturbed by scandals such as followed
the death OF the Queen.
Princess Louise. whose creditors tried
TO prevent her from receiving her in
he jtance of the Queens jewels. has
given a dramatic touch 70 the present
situation by sending from Hungary an
insistert appeal TO her father to receive
her. and il is rumored tonight that the
King has consented TO see his banished
daughter. Nothing has yet been heard
from Princess Stephanie.
An odd circumstance is the fact that
Brussels appears 10 he more occupied
with the sensational chapter IN King
Leopold's career than concerned in his
illness. The situation is summarized by
a well informed official. who said TO-
night; Leopold does not understand
the Belgians. and the Belgians do nor
understand the King. So. perhaps. they
have grown apart. The Belgians have
come to consider King Leopold as a
great man - business. a great inter-
national promoter. who at the same time
has done much good for Belgium"
Baroness Vaughan. IL is rumored. in
sisted on seeing the King to-day. but
did not succeed in carrying out her plan.
II Is also reported that she was In
formed that IL the King died she would
not be allowed 10 remain In Belgium.
The day was mixture OF anxiety.
hope and despair. and as his strength
failed the King whispered 10 his chap
lain. and tie aged and devoted priest.
in tears. heard the sovereign's confess
sion and administered communion and
extreme unction-
In the course Of the morning the King,
assisted by a notary and solicitors. set
tied his private affairs. Pie discussed
points In his will with perfect eompos-