Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-12-18
PRINCE ALBERT, WHO WILL AS
cEND THRONE NEXT WEEK,
SHOWS SYMPATHY FOR STE
PHANlE AT FATHERS BIER,
DEA TIL FOLLOWED
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
PHYSICIANS HAD ISSUED HOPE
FuL BULLETINS DURING NIGHrs
AND DISSOLUTION WAS MOTT
THOUGHT so NEAR.

Brussels, Dec. IA contest
over the succession to the throne !
OF Belgium is. possible. The
vatican Is reported to have con.
firmed the marriage a year auo Of
King Leopold and the Baroness
vaughan. Two sons are said to
have been born to this union, and
both survive. The elder Is Luciau
five years old. 1t Is reported ho
will claim the throne. Prince AL
bert, the heir presumptive, is a
nephew of Leopold II. i
Brussels, Dec. 17.-kInu Leo
pold IL, of Belgium, died this
morning as he lived, relentTessly
repulsins his exiled daughters and
cllnging tenaciously to hIs favor.
ties. The Princess Louise of Bel
GUM, the eldest of the three
daughters, arrived here today.
Inc second daughter, the unfortu-
nate Stephanie, was here when
her father died, but was refused
permission to see him. After
his death she was admitted To the
chamber and she threw herself
beside the body in state Of un-
controlled grief. Prince Albert,
the new leader Of the destinies Of
Belgium, was moved with pity,
and seizing his Cousins hand, he
knelt with her before the body,
giving mute expression to his
sympathy and sorrow for and hie
intended protection Of the ban
ished daughter. A group Of old
servants who loved all three.
broke down and wept at the traa-
ic picture.
The funeral will be held next
Wednesday. Prince Albert will
take the oath to the throne at tho
joint session Of the two chambers
next Thursday.
Brussels, Dec. 17.-All Brussef,
mourns today. Flags on public build
lngs are at half mast and priyat,
houses are draped with crepe. Th,
body Of the king remains in the cham
Der OF THE Palms" where death en-
tered last night. 1t is surrounded onI,
by those who in life had won and re
tanned the kings close friendship
The expression on the dead monarch,
face is peaceful. The body will b,
placed in a casket this evening, wher
the period of mourning officially vii
begin. The court will go into mourn
ing for six months while the period o
for the household will con
tinue one year. Princess Clementin,
and her sister, Stephanie with. tn,
Countess of Flanders, left the palac,
at an early hour.
Regency Council Holds Reins.
Immediately following Leopold,
death two nuns laid out the body ant
for conveying 1t to th,
city proper We're made. The obsequie.
will take place at the Collegiate church
Of st. Gudula. This morning Premier
Schollaert proceeded to the palace
and under his direction the officia
moniteur published special numbe,
announcing the formation of regenc,
council composed of the council anS
ministers which will nominally hole
he reins of government until the he'll
o the throne, Prince Albert, has tax
En- the oath of ascension.
Royal Condolences Received.
This morning Minister of Foreign
Affairs Davignon officially notified the
'overeigns and chiefs of state OF
Europe of the death of Leopold. Tele
grams of coincidence were received
rom King Edward and Queen Alexan
Ira, Emperor William, King Alfonso
Emperor Francis Joseph, King Victor
Emmanuel and Queen Helena, Presl
lent Falliers Of France and Pope Plus
K. The pontiff has ordered requiem
mass for the repose of Leopold's soul
Hundreds of other telegrams of sym
oathy and regard have reached the
palace.
The public was admitted to the
nortuary chamber at 4 o'clock this
afternoon, where the body lay in state
'or two hours before it's removal tc
he palace in Brussels. Thousands
passed before the bier. 1t is said a
oailiff appeared this morning at the
residence of Baroness Vaughan with
the object of seizing the premises on
behalf of the Princess Louise. The
baroness successfully prevented the
service upon her and it is expected
Continued on Pape sS