Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-17
BELGIAN RULER
PASSES AWAY
KING BREATHES LAST IN PAVlL-
ION AT TALKEN
END COMES PEACEFULLY AFTER
LONG BATTLE
Much Discussion Aroused as to POSI-
tion of Moreanatic Wife in Royal
Househod-New Mon
arch Popular
tContinued from rage ons'

tContinued from rage One'
to annex the Congo state after ten
years. The government of that state
resulted in worldwide dispute ana
a demand that European powers In
terpose in the interest Of humanity.
Assumes Control
On November Is, 1908, Belgium form
ally assumed control of the state, ana
since then efforts at reform have been
inaugurated, but not carried out In an
entirely satisfactory manner.
Criticisms against King Leopold In
this connection are said to have shat-
tered the buoyant spirits OF the SOW
ereign, although 1t was only in private
that he gave expression to these feel
ings. He was proud of the work that
had been accomplished in that terri
tory and at Antwerp made a remark
able speech in which he said the an
nexation of the Congo Independent
state was the greatest satisfaction or
his life. He declared that the Congo
would play a most important part III
the expansion of Belgium.
It was because of his whole souled
interest i'm the development of Congo
and in the progress of Belgium that
his own people overlooked the alleged
atrocities.
King Leopold was deemed one of the
shrewdest and ablest men of the time.
He was essentially a man OF business
cold, reticent and calculating. He was
of particularly independent spirit ana
more than once has said to have told
other soVereigns who attempted to ad-
wise him regarding his private affairs
TO mind their own business. This
estranged King Leopold from many
courts of Europe.
His Morganatic Wife
Baroness Vaughan, who is said to
have been the kings morganatic wife,
occupies a chateau close to the pavilion
where Leopold died.
Her maiden name was DelacroiX and
her parents were concierges, or JAM
tors, first at Liege and afterwards In
Paris.
Her mother is dead and her father Is
an inmate of an asylum for the IN
sane. She is the mother of two chill
dren.
King Leopold spent much time with
the baroness and gave his ministers
much concern on this account. At one
time there was talk of his abdication.
King Leopold's recent Illness dated
from about two weeks ago, when he
was compelled to take to his bed, sur
fering from rheumatism.
1t was thought at the time he had a
stroke OF dDDpitAy, iOT Hc was Poi
alyzed on one side and the paralysis
seemingly spread over the entire body.
His confinement brought about an in
testinal obstruction for which an op-
Grafton was performed on Tuesday.
One of the most powerful men In
Belgium who knew King Leopold bet
ter than any other man Is Senator
Winer, the late kings trusted friend
and confidential legal adviser. He
assisted Leopold in drawing up the
Congo project and probably will handle
the disposition of the kings fortune.
Senator Winer welcomed the As
sociated Press correspondent most
cordially tonight. He insisted that
Leopold was greatly misunderstood by
the world. He pictured the king 8
intense admiration for the United
states. which his majesty was
anxious to visit. but was prevented by
the Congo criticism.
Useful Training
However, the king had prevailed on
Prince Albert to go, as he considered
this "A most useful preparation for the
future ruler of Belgium.
Sentiment in Brussels has taken a
new turn and the people are heatedly
occupied with the question as to the
position of Baroness Vaughan in the
royal household as the result of SEN
sational article published in the Soir
The paper charges that Baroness
Vaughan was constantly at the bedside
of the king, even being present when
extreme JUNCTION was administered
whereas the kings daughters and his
nephew were not admitted.