The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1909-12-17
ALL BRUSSELS
IN MOURNING
Evidences of Grief Over Death of
Leopold Are to be Seen
Everywhere
REGENCY COUNCIL IS FORMED
Will NominaIIy Hold the Reins of Gov
eminent Until Prince Albert As
cends the Throne-Tele-
grams of Coincidence.

Brussels, Dec. 17.-All Brussels
mourns today. Flags on public build
ings are at half mast and private
houses are draped with crepe. The
body of the king remains in the cham
Der of "The Palms." where death en-
tered last night. 1t is surrounded only
by those who i'm life had won and re-
tanned the kings close friendship. The
expression on the dead monarch's face
Is peaceful. The body will be placed i'm
a casket this evening when the period
of mourning officially will begin. The
court will go into mourning for six
months, while the period of mourning
for the household will continue one
year.
Princess Clementine and her sister,
Stephanie. with the countess of Flan-
ders, left the palace at an early hour.
Immediately following Leopold's death
two nuns laid out the body and prep
arations for conveying il to the city
proper were made. The obsequies will
take place at the Collegiate church of
st. Gudula.
This morning Premier Schollaert
proceeded to the palace and under his
direction the official moniteur publish
ed a special number announcing the
formation of regency council COM
posed of the council and ministers,
which will nominally hold the reins of
government until the heir to the
hac tal the
oath OF ascension.
This morning Minister of Foreign Af-
fairs Davignon officially notified the
sovereigns and chiefs of state of Eu-
rope of the death of Leopold. Tele-
grams of coincidence were received
from King Edward and Queen Alex
andra. Emperor william. King Alton
So Emperor Francis Joseph, King Vic
tor Emmanuel and Queen Helena,
President Fallieres of France and Pope
Plus. The pontiff has ordered requiem
mass for the repose of Leopold's soul.
Hundreds of other kilograms of sym
pathy and regard have reached the
palace.
Leopold Dies as He Lived.
Leopold died as he lived, relentlessly
repulsing his exiled daughters and
clinging tenaciously to his favorites.
Princess Louise of Belgium, eldest OF
the three daughters, arrived here to-
day. The second daughter. the unfor-
tunate Stephania, was here when her
father died, but was refused perms-
sion to see him. After his death she
was admitted to the chamber and she
threw herself beside the body I'm
state of uncontrolled grief.
Prince Albert, the new leader of the
destinies of Belgium. was moved with
pity, and seizing his cousins hand
knelt with her before the body giving
mute expression to his sympathy ana
sorrow for and intended protection OF
the banished daughter
A group of old servants. who loved
all three, broke down and wept at the
tragic picture. The funeral VIII be held
next wednesday.
Prince Albert will take the cath to tile
throne at joint session OF the TWO
chambers next Thursday.
Life Of King Leopold.
Leopold Louis Philippe Marie Victor.
king of the Belgians, was born III
Brussels, April 3, 1885, and succeeded
to the throne upon the death OF MS
father, the late King Leopold l. which
occurred Dec. 10, 1865. Leopold receiV-
ed a liberal education and in his youth
Travelled extensively through Europe,
Egypt and Asia Minor. AS Duke OIL
Brabant, he took prominent part !"
several important discussions In the
senate When he came to the tnrohe
he was thought to possess a broad ana
active mind and was looked upon as
ruler who would understand the wants
of his people. In his early Gays nc
gave himself up to the STUDY Oh ."e
great economical questions that touay
are paramount He made exhaustive
researches into finance, commerce, IN
dustry and engineering. HIS mrs.
speech in the senate, delivered seNerai
years before he came to the throne,
was to advocate the establishment Vi
a maritime service between Antwerp
and the Levant.
A Keen Business Man.
During his many years on the throne
Leopold proved himself to be an au-
mirable monarch and keen business
man. In the latter capacity ne wac
without peer among European royal
ty. His financial achievements IN ,ne
Congo. in China, in the United s'a'es
and in other parts of the woriu a''
proof sufficient OF this fact. IL was ."
ing to the kings untiring energy anu
perseverance that Belgium has, III w
Congo Free state. an outlet for ne
commercial and industrial activity nc
was active on the various STOCK
changes and seemed to find more sa,''
faction in launching and uireo.'"e
great Industrial and commercial en'e
prises than In administering 'ne ."
fairs of his kingdom. The Congo IT,
state was his pet hobby. the mon, mon,
ne expended on its early deVe'op'"s
a..n