The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-12-23
Amid Much Pomp and Cere-
mony, New Ruler of Belgium
Today Formally Assembled
To Royal Throne.
BIG CROWDS GREETED
BELGIUM'S MONARCH
As the King Walked Quietly
Toward the Dias, the Sen
ate Chamber Reverberated
With Cheering.
(American News Service)

(American News Service)
Brussels, Dec. 23-Brussels today
tore down the mourning draperies
and Haunted the gayest Of colors. For
Leopold the Bad was buried and the
reign of Albert the Good began.
A good looking young man. hand
some in the uniform of lieutenant
general, wearing the grand Gordon OF
the Order of Leopold, stood before the
representatives of his people and the
rulers of the world. He swore to up
hold the law, rights of his subjects
and the National unity. BY that right
simple in itself, king was made
The Prince OF Flanders had become
Albert l, king of the Belgians.
Starts at laeken.
Albert went from Laeken. where
Leopold died. to Brussels as had his
uncle before him, As years before.
The queen preceded him with the
crown prince in q coach and six. AL.
bert followed, part way In q coach,
but making the entrance to the city
mounted, as became a ruler.
= Solid rows Of troops lined the
streets through which the king passes.
The dignitaries and officials began
early to crowd into the grand palace
the parliamentary chambers. The
senate room was the scene OF the in.
vesture. There a regiment of royalty
assembled.
The picture was colorful, the bright
robes of Cardinals adding to the bril-
liancy of the foreign princes uniforms
all of the highest grade to which they
were entitled-and the green silk gowns
Of officials; the glittel of army men
and the uniforms of the senator's. The
violet gown of the papal nuncio added
quiet touch Of beauty in this gor
geous riot of trappings of war and di
plomacy.
Socialists Not There.
The members of the lower house
wore evening clothes. 1t was signifi.
cant that the 80 or more socialist dele,
gates were absent.
The enthusiasm Of the populace was
infective: at the slightest opportunity
dignity gave way to cheers.
The entrance of the queen was such
a chance. Smiling and bowling, she
made her way down the close packed
aisles and entered the state pew.
"Vive La Reine," the cry went nr
and there were salvos of cheers fol
Crown Prince Leopold, and for the 9th
er royal children. Prince Charles and
little Princess Marie. who is scarcely
more than three years old.
The queen was led to her place by
Count D'Cultremont. grand marshal OF
the court. She bowed to Premier
Schollaert and the president of the
senate. Viscount Zimonis, as we'll as to
the prelates.
Foreign Representatives.
About her were the representatives
of foreign rulers: The Duke Of Aosta
for the King of Italy; Prince Henry Of
Prussia: Prince Arthur of Connaught
the Duke Franz-Salvator: Infants Car
los of Bourbon, the delegate of Alton
so: the Prince of Saxony: the Duke OF
vendome: Prince Ferdinand of Rou-
mania. and the Prince of Hohenzol-
lern. Minister HI. L. Wilson and Sec
retary U. M. Smith. represented the
United States.
Without the incessant cheering and
firing OF royal salutes gave no cue te
the approach of the king.
There came a lull in the buzz within
the chamber. Then suddenly two
ushers appeared.
1.-The King!" they cried, and Albert
handsome and valiant, walked rapidly
into the chamber, while a volley ol
cheers shook the decorations.
King Takes the Oath.
He walked quickly to the dias of the
throne. opposite the chair Of the pres
ident Of the senate. .....
The cheering continued until final
" the King was forced to rise to the
throne as q sign that he desired ST
lencc.
Then, amid all the pomp and Of q
rejoicing nation, went through the
simple ceremony of the investiture.
Standing at the foot of the throne
his head barred and his hands extend
ed ~ II In benediction. he repeated