New-York tribune., 1909-12-17
KING LEOPOLD DEAD
EXPIRED At EARLY
HOUR THIS MORNING.
Final Collapse FOllO1ced a
Day of Gradual I'm
prOTement.

Brussels. Dec. liking Leopold died
at 2:47 O'Clock this morning. his aged
and wasted body being unable 10 stand
the strain put upon it, The collapse oc-
CURED suddenly. and at a moment when
the doctors seemingly had had the great
est hopes for his recovery.
Throughout yesterday bulletins issued
from the sickrOOm indicated progressive
improvement. The bulletin posted at
$50 p. m. gave the Kings temperature.
pulse and respiration as practically nor
wound was perfect. as no fever was
present. and during the day the King
had been able to take nourishment
The public at large was satisfied that
the King was on the road TO recovery.
but within the pavilion where the King
lay there was feeling of anxiety. chiefly
because of LeopOld's great age. After a
restful day the patient was able TO sleep
for brief period early in the evening.
and tine night passed quietly.
But toward o'clock alarming svnop-
toms appeared Suddenly the King
turned and called 10 DIR. Thirfar:
"J'etouffe. docteur j'etouffe" CT am suf-
focating'O
Dr- Depage was summoned. and the
two physicians did everything possible
to prOlong life. but without avail. The
end came quickly and after a spell Of
weakness peacefully. Prince Albert ar
rived at the deathbed about Twenty-Five
minutes later
Prince Albert was accompanied by
Princess Clementine. Albert kissed the
dead King and left the chamber weep-
ing.
Baron Gofinet. the Kings secretary.
started Immediately for Brussels to no.
tify the members of the royal family.
As he was entering his motor car he
exclaimed: ITO think that only yes
terday we acre still full of confidence.
and now the King is dead"
IL appears that the doctors were to-
tally unprepared for such a fatal ter
minatiOn. II was a nun. acting as
nurse. who first noticed the heavy
breathing of the King. She called Dr.
Thiriar 20 the bedside. Both Drs. Thir-
lar and Depage resoTted 20 injections OF
morphine. but these had no effect
Shortly after the end had come the
ministers were notified. the first official
tc arrive in the death chamber being the
royal chaplain The ministers remained
in the chamber for a considerable time
discussing the sudden death and matters
of state in subdued tones.
When GOffinet emerged from the high
walls of the royal gardens his pale face
startled the newspaper correspondents.
who were huddled together outside. He
paused for moment and said sOlemnIy:
The King is dead"
The Kings death. il was announced
by Dr.. Depage. was due TO embolism.
small blood clot probably being carried
to the heart.
Although the reports from the sick
room were somewhat conflicting. those
issued to-day all indicated progressive
improvement. and the general belief was
that the King was on the road 10 re-
cOvery.
AS a consequence. discussion turned
from his condition To his private life and
his attitude toward his daughters
People heatedly discussed the position
OF Baroness Vaughan in the royal house.
hold. as the result of a sensational ar
ticle published in TIE 'SOir." The paper
charged that Baroness Vaughan was
constantly at the bedside of the King.
even being present when extreme unc-
tion was administered, whereas the
Kings daughters and his nephew were
not admitted
The question was put by the 'Soir" To-
Monsignor COOreman. the Venerabl
royal chaplain, If the King had mar
ried baroness Vaughan according 10 the
provisions of the religious ceremony
adding that all Belgium was astonished
and sca.ndalized that the Church womb
sanction the presence Of the woman
near the Kings couch while the priest
came on his sacred mission.
The chaplain intimated that the mar
riage exists. and said that his conscience
was clear about his visit To the King
The Church's code Of morals. he added