The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-15
MAY SURVIVE OPERATION
KING LEOPOLD STILL HAS FIGHT
 ING CHANGE.
Belgian RuIer Astounes Physie1ans by Remarkable Display of Forti- tude-Crlsas Hay Last for
 Next Three Doyu.

Brussels, Dec. 1l.--King Leopold to- day underwent an operation and as- tounded his physicians by the manner in which he withatood 1t His res mArkable recuperAtive power was manifested directly he regained con sciousnsss and the optimistic spirit which he has shown throughout the course of his illness returned to him He expressed satisfaction when in- formed of the details of the operation which was for the relief of a simple obstruction of the intestines.
 Tonight the King is making q plucky light for life. He was even strong enough to sign the new mill tary law just passed by the Senate. II is understood that the real feeling of his physicians and of his household is not SO hopeful as the official bulletins would indicate. The crisis probably will last three days.
 The last men of the diplomatic corps tn see King Leopold was the American Minister, Henry Lane Wilson, who was received fortnight ago on q farewell visit preparatory to his de- parture to his new post in Mexico. The audience was most interesting. as the King spoke in admiration and paid 6 warm tribute to MT. Taft He asked the Minister to convey his re- spects to the President with wishes of q continued successful administration. Then he added aughingly:
 But do hope that the United States will change from her drastic attitude on Congo"
 The gravity of the Kings Illness became apparent only a few days ago and while an operation was finally de- cided upon as imperative. the fast that the King was unable to retain nour- ishment and thereby lost strength rapidly gave rise to serious doubts as to his ability to withstand the shock.
 In view of the Kings condition fn- terest Is concentrated upon Prince Al- bert Leopold, the heir presumptive, son of the late Count of Flanders. King Leopold's brother. Prince AL bert Is in striking contrast to his uncle. He is a distinct family man. happily welded. He has travelled and studied in America and Is great stu- dent of economies and politics. often lecturing in public.
 Moreover the Prince Is popular with the people, whose .sympathies and re- spect he is certain to win as sover- eign.
 Today has been doubly momentous in Belgian history. In the presence of Prince Albert. who has a heredi- tary right to q seat, the Senate adopt ed, with the concurrence Of the cham her, Q military law which vitaliy con eerns the country. which has aroused intense discussion and which early threatened to overthrow the cabinet. The measure involves the complete re- versal of the system of recruiting the army. It provides for the service of one son in each family instead of general recruitment by lot. but more important they are forbidden to hire substitutes as in the recent crisis In Spain. where outright evasion of ser vice by the rich through the payment of money aroused the anger of the people.
 So far as the Kings illness Is con- cerned. evidences of the indifference Of the people with reference to . change in sovereign Is seen. The newspapers are restricting themselves to brief accounts of the development of the maiady and discreet allusions to the Ring's domestic tragedies but they make practically no comment on Leopold himself or the dsstinies of the country.
 The Beigians. however, arc loyal to the King and have the greatest admi- ration fer, his great intellect and ge- nus. While they do not forget thai Leopoid's administration in the Congo created a storm of interffational accu- sation and almost endangered the country's honor. all parties are now united on the Congo policy. as they regard the Congo Independent State as an immense field for Belgian enter prise. They remember also that 1t was King Leopold who gave such ma teriai development to Belgium.