The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-13
KING LEOPOLD OF BELGIUM
 NEAR DEATH
Doctors Decide to Perform Operation for
 Hernia as Last Resource.
0,d Mouarch Realizes That End is Nigh
 and Has Become Cynical
Especial from United Press.)

Brussels, Dec 13.-In the desperate fight to prolong King Leopold's life for a few days. pr. Thiriar and pr. steinon announced today that an ope- ration would be performed tomorrow cn the King. if his strength permits. for hernia The announcement start ed an earlier report that Leopold was dying.
 There is the gravest fear that the operation will end fatally. but the phy- sicians say there is no other re- source.
 The King realizes that his end is near and. according to Prince Albert cynicism has disappeared and his whole thought Is now centered on the future of his country. This change in Leopold's mental condition is consid- cred significant.
 Leopold, the second of Belgium. was probably the most hated of all mon archs of modern times everywhere but in his own country. He maintained bis popularity there. however. by g1v- ing a portion of his great wealth to his poorer subjects of pressing wants and by a diplomatic system of honoring the Belgian nobility prevented any se- rfous criticism of his acts by the upper classes
 
 been a leader and. though utterly disso- lute. characterized often as the King of the Demi Monde of all Europe" his people were willing to turn a forgiving eye to his vices in return for the ma terial prosperity that resulted from his business ventures
 Born on April g, 1885. the son of King Leopold First. former Prince of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and of Princess Louise daughter of the late King Louis Of hn Ua old when. on the death of his father. he ascended the Belgian throne on Dec. 10, 1863. Twelve years before that time he had married Queen Marie 1902. She was the daughter of the Archduke Joseph of Austria His family life was for years a scandal amidst the thrones of Europe and he has been estranged from his daughters for years. His heir Is Prince Albert, son of Prince Philipe. Count of Elan ders. his brother.
 So shrewd has Leopold been and so thoroughly conversant with the details of international politics. that he main dom and fostered it's prosperity through periods of turmoil as well as through times of peace. It has been rumored that other nations were go- ing to interfere to dethrone him. but always Leopold emerged with his trump hand more secure than ever in his position
 The one great disappointment of Leo Folds life was the death of the only offspring of his marriage. Prince Leo pold. Count of Hainault. who at the age of 10 was seized with a fatal ill., ness. From that time King Leopold lived purely for his own pleasure but while securing that he also amassed princely private fortune and 1t is in- timated that he was worth half a bil- lion dollars when stricken with his present illness
 Although throughout his long career blooded self-seek voluptuary. and money grabber. he had some redeeming qualities. He has also prided himself on the fact that he adhered to a prom ise made his mother and refused to sign a death warrant His enormous interests in the Congo. so long held as a personal possession. are to revert at his death to the Belgian nation.
 When years younger Leopold was known as the best horseman in all Europe: he was a most ardent polite ian and an expert linguist and clever public speaker. but all this was lost in after years It Is freely ad- mitted that Leopold was the developer host of creditable- witnesses have told lies about him. Leopold was one of the most sinister and terrible figures to be met in connection with the blood stain- ed annals of the Dark Continent.
 His cruelties in the Congo. where regiments of natives were butchered and maimed by his orders. made a world scandal and lined the old kings pockets with millions. He operated as his personal property the immense rubber concessions of the Central Af- rican territory. His domestic life has been unpposperous. He invested all told. something like st.o0o.000 and he drew from his speculation over s5.000.- = OoG a year. His profits arose exclu- sively from ais loot of the ivory trade and from his exaction of an enormous tribute from the India rubber busi- ness.
 Tn the hichlands of the Congo he set out to develop the gold mining indus try through the operation of T. F. Walsh of Colorado. who was practical ly the kings business manager and si- Ian-