New-York tribune., 1909-12-16
LEOPOLD RALLIES
HOPE FOR THE KING.
Charges Regarding the Congo
Strenu0usIy Denied.

Brussels. Dec liking Leopoids
tenacious struggle is arousing the 10y
atty and admiration of the people. VINO
are now keenly watching the develop
ments following yesterdays operation
The bulletin issued tonight by the at
tending physicians says that the King Is
gaining. This has caused new nope
that his rugged constitution VIII pun
him through. but it is privately feared
at the court that his age will not permit
ultimate recovery.
After a restful night. the patients con-
dition was described as stationary but
during the course of the afternoon uh-
favorable symptoms appeared. and II
soon became known that his majesty
had suffered a relapse. Toward evening.
however. improvement was noted by the
physicians, and reassuring bulletin
was issued. 1t said; THE Kings condi-
tion is somewhat improved; pulse I5'
temperature 800"
The fact that the temperature, thirty
hours or more after the operation, Is
not far from normal is taken as an ex-
cellent sign. At IL o'clock at night
announcement was made. though not
officially. that the Improvement was be-
coming more marked.
While the sovereign was fighting for
his life, Parliament was absorbed to-day.
as it was yesterday, in one of the most
vital questions affecting the nation. The
great Congo problem came before the
legislators for consideration. and this.
whatever may have been the scandals.
cruelty and oppression attending the
leadership of Leopold. all Belgians
wished to see resolved on lines OF
humanity and progress and in a manner
to convince the world that Congo is safe
in Belgian hands.
HURT BY AMERICAN CRITICISM.
In spite of his apparent Indifference TO
human criticism. there is reason TO be-
lieve that King Leopold was secretly
stung TO the quick by the worlds wrath
over his conduct in the Congo matter
| and that he never recovered from this
He was always convinced that American
criticism was sincere, although he i'm
patiently sought 10 explain to his friends
that it was the work Of "prattling mis-
sionaries.'' He had an obsession, how
ever. that the British attacks against
him were not free from a jealous senti-
ment.
The Congo question came up in the
Chamber in the course of the discussion
on the budget. NJ. Renkin. Minister for
the Colonies. in an impassioned speech,
repudiated the criticism emanating from
England that Belgium was exploiting
/ the natives. He denied the charges of
oppression and cruelty. The application
/ of a system of taxation, he said. had
| been delayed. but he pointed out that
| there had been great progress in the
/ general prosperity of the country, the
means of transportation and communi-
/ cation, in education and in the ameliora-
| tion of the burdens and safeguarding
\ the health of the natives The minister
| asked the world TO suspend its opinion
/ and give Belgium a chance TO show her
/ worth
Whatever the judgment may be on Leo
| PoId from the broad standpoint of moral
| ity. it is interesting to note how his in
tellect and personality have succeeded in
/ profoundly impTessng both foreigners
and Belgians with whom he came into
intimate contact There is a unanim-
ity of opinion that the King is one Of
the shrewdest and ablest of men, with
/ an astounding capacity for business.
| great organizer. rightly deserving the
name of Leopold. the Builder"
GREAT PERSONAL FORTUNE.
/ II is understood that Leopold's per-
scnal fortune is enormous. and that il
the figures were known they would
startle the world. Besides extensive
properties in Belgium and France he
/ has immense holdings in American Sc
| curities. The earnings OF his enter
/ prises in the Congo Independent State
! are reputed to he stupendOus Much
I conjecture regarding the destination of
his wealth has been aroused by the an
| EounCement that he recently consulted
/ Premier Schollaert with reference 20 a
I political testament.
In addition 10 the attacks made on
! him on account of the Congo the Kings
4 life has been shattered by domestic
/ tragedies. His only son is dead and his
eldest daughters have been banished
( Princess Louise has been divorced and
/ pursued by creditors. Princess Ste
! phanie has never been forgiven by the
/ King. because after the dark episode of
/ her husbands death she insisted upon
marrying Count Lonyay. The King
| turned 20 Princess Clementine. on whom
4 he lavished affection. He found time
/ TO devote himself also 10 Baroness
/ Vaughan. on whom he showered a fort
une. IL is whispered in court that Leo
| pold intends To provide handsomely for
/ the baroness and her children
! PRINCESS STEPHANIE ARRIVES
| Princess Stephanie. who arrived here
/ to-day. was respectfully greeted by a
crowd at the railroad station. She is a
/ great fav0rite with the Belgians. and
| is affeCtonateiy called THE Golden
/ Haired" The princess. who was worry
mournful. said that she came not for
material gain, but To see her father.
whom she loved. despite the fact that
l. hnA