Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-12-15
King Leopold Undergoes
Surgical Operation.
Shows Wonderful Vitality and
AstoundS His Physicians.
Senate Enacts New Military Law
And King Signs After Operation.

| Brussels. Dec. liking Leopold to-
| day underwent most serious opera
| ton and astounded science by the
| manner in which he withstood it. His
remarkable recuperatiVe powers man
| ifested themselves directly he gained
| consciousness 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 relief of a simple OBJ
struction of the intestines.
Tonight the King is making plucky
fight for life. He was even strong
enough TO sign the new military law,
just passed by the Senate. But the
battle has not yet been completely
won. 1t is understood that the real
feeling of his physicians and house.
hold is not SO hopeful as the official
bulletins would indicate. The crlsi"
will probably last three days. There
is a possibility that the intestine would
be grasped by paralysis and another
operation would be necesstated.
Leopold emerged from the operation
of enterotomy with a regular pulse
and cheerful. He was so talliative that
the doctors had to warn him, after
which the patient fell into light re-
frcshing slumber The condition of His
Majesty tonight is stated to be salts
factory. The gravity Of the Kings i'll
ness became apparent only a few days
ago. and while an operation was finl-
~ decided upon as imperative, the fact
that the King was unable to retain
nourishment and thereby lost strength
rapidly, gave rise to serious doubts as
to his ability to withstand the shock.
In view of the condition of the King
interest is concentrated upon Prince
Albert Leopold, the heir presumptive.
son of the late Count of Flanders, King
LeopoldS brother. Prince Albert is III
striking contrast to his uncle. He is a
distinct family man, happily welded.
He has Travelled and studied in Ameri-
ca and is great student of economics
and politics, often lecturing in public.
Nevertheless, he has quite modern
tastes, is a splendid horseman and is
interested in aviation and motoring.
He has even made a flight in dirigi-
BILE. His frank. good-natured face be-
speaks intelligence and incites conf
dence.
The art shops in the city are freely
exhibiting in their windows pictures
of the royal family-above King Leo
rold, aged, austere, and reserved; be-
low Prince Albert. young, brilliant and
pleasant. Moreover. the prince is pop
ulas-with the people, whose sympathies
and respect he is certain to win as
Sovereign.
TODAY in,
Belgian history. In the presence of Prince
Albert, who has hereditary right to
seat in the Senate, that body adopted.
with the concurrence of the Chamber
military law which vitality concerns the
country. 1t had aroused intense discus
sion and once had threatened to over
turn the cabinet. The measure involves
the complete reversal of the system of re-
cruiting the army. 1t provides for the
service of one son in each family in
stead of general recruitment by lot, but,
more important, all are forbidden to hire
Spain, outright evasion of services by the
rich through the payment of money
aroused the anger of the people. King
Leopold favors the law. and his support
ers have been most anxious that he
should have the opportunity to attach his
signature to it.
So far as the Kings illness is concern
ed, evidences of the Indifference of the
population in reference to change in Sow
ereigns is shown.
The Belgians. however, are loyal to the
King and have the utmost admiration for
his great intellect and genius. While they
do not forget that Leopolds admnistra-
ton in the Congo created a storm of in
ternational accusation and almost endan-
fered the country's honor, all parties are
not united on the Congo policies as they
regard the Congo Independent State as
an immense field for Belgian enterprises.
They remember also it was King I,eopOld
who gave material development to Bel
GUM.