The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-16

Brussels, December liking Leopolds tenacious struggle is arousing the ad- miration of the people, who are now keen ly noting the developments following yes- terday's operation. The bulletin issued tonight by the attending physicians states that the King is gaining This has caused new hope that his rugged constitution will pull him through, but it is feared that his age will not permit the ultimate re- covery.
 At Il o'clock tonight announcement was made. though not officially, that the im- provement was becoming marked.
 By a dramatic hazard of events. while the sovereign was fighting for his life, parliament today, as on yesterday, was absorbed in one of the most vital ques- tions affecting the nation.
 The great Congo problem came before the legislature for consideration, and this, whatever may have been the scandals, cruelty and oppression attending the lead ership of Leopold, all Belgians wished to see resolved in the lines of humanity and progress.
 M. Renkin, minister for the colonies, in an impassioned speech in the chamber, repudiated the criticism emanating from England that Belgium was exploiting the natives and denied the charge of oppres- sion and cruelty.
 Whatever the Judgment may be on Leo- po1d from the broad standpoint of moral- ity, 1t is interesting to note how his in tellect and personality have succeeded 5 in profoundly impressing both foreigners and Belgans with whom he came into intimate contact. There is an unanimity of opinion that the King is one of the shrewdest and ablest of men, with an as- founding capacity for business. a great organizer, rightly deserving the name of Leopold the Builder
 It is understood that Leopold's personal fortune is enormous and that if the fg- ures were known they would startle the world Much speculation as to the dis position of his wealth has been aroused by the announcement that he recently consulted Premier Scholaert with refer ence to a political testament
 Princess Stephanie, who reached here today was respectfully greeted by a crowd at the railroad station. She is a great favorfte with the Belgians. The princess declared that she came, not for material gain, but to see her father whom she loved, despite the fact that he had repulsed her at her mothers death- bed
 The day was in keeping with the pre- vailing pessimism, the air cold and raw. and a heavy now falling which drifted 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 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 upon his majesty. The latter, how ever was obdurate and insisted that his faithful valet Bajart, alone should at tend to his wants.
 pr. Goossens, whom Leopold playfully called that ferocious Goossens, "sbecause the physician forbade him to talk, comes and goes at regular intervals and sees to it that the King does not waste his strength in interviews and conversations.
 This evening there appeared to be no immediate danger of death, but the King had experienced return of an old in- testinal complication. and it was feared that this would initiate against the ulti- mate success of yesterdays operation.
 It was reported that Leopold declined to see his daughter, Stephanie. Countess Lonyay. the Kings second daughter, ar- rived today, but 1t was rumored that she was not allowed to see her father because of his weakness.