The Detroit times., 1910-06-08
AHG or bE[Gllhs
a BUSINESS Man
knowledge Of Railroading Valuable
In Plans for Developing
Congo.

-
i Of the Belgians. is more like an Ameri'
can business man than any continent
ttal crowned head. as Theodore Roose-
welt remarked after his interview Win
, the young monareh. The king mas
proved himself since his accession, last
December, TO be as up-to date and pro
gressiye a chief executive as Belgium
\ could desire.
Before his accession. Prince Albert
MAS but little known 10 his future SUB
tects, and was generally looked upon
as q shy young man OF less than aver
ese Intelligence, more or less ruled oy
. lila wife. This estimate OF his ehsrac.
Ter has now been shown TO be un@ar-
ranted, for the king has given unniiS
taxable proofs of a strong personality
This is particularly evident as re-
cards Congo affairs. II was OWNS 10
the kings personal and active interes;
that the recent reforms in the treat
ment OF the natives were made, as
result OF which every facility is giveh
to the blacks to cultivate the soil for
their own support. While thus active
~ leading the campaign In favor OF the
natives, the king has at the same tine
headed the movement for better iail-
road communication in the colony.
The king has planned the new system,
work on which is shortly 10 begin. and
which Will open UP great tracts Of ter.
r.tory. u.s.
II Is in his practical knowledge OF
railroad matters that King Albert may
more particularly be likened TO an
American business man. The future
king, Il is said, first acquired his taste
tor railroading while touring the
American northwest AFTER his return
10 Belgium he followed a regular
course OF study in the government de
partment OF railroads. and became
thoroughly versed In every phase OF
fAilroading This accounts for the
kings personal interest in the new
Congo railways.
The kings stubbornness. inherited
from his Hohenzollern mother, the
countess OF Flanders. is apparent from
his determination TO keep in close
touch with Congo Affairs. and in fact.
20 head the movement against English
designs on Belgium's colony. What
ever steps the English anti-Congo lead
ICrs may take they will eventually have
.ereign. King Alberts stubbornness,
however. Is his only conspicuous
|HohenzoIlern trait. AS man he Is as
Memorable as is compatible with MS
position His manners are simple. and
he has a deep-rooted dislike for show
and unnecessary etiquette. He always
had an aversion for the soldiers ca
reer, and never dons uniform unless
.compelled to.
The king Is as busy as the most In
defatigable OF his subjects. He rises
1t 6. breakfasts at Z. and by s o'clock
fs at work in his study, where he re-
mains till 10 with a secretary. AT 10
ne receives the ministers and othe.
ol1cials who have appointments, and
he Is often compelled to listen TO their
reports until ~. The king then takes
brisk walk In the palace park until
lunch. which Is served at 1880. This.
meal Is noted for its lack OF ceremony.
the king and queen being alone with
their two boys and attended by a foot
man.
After lunch the king resumes his
audiences. which last until O'Clock.
The king and queen then take a drive
and return TO the palace at 4. when
afternoon tea Is served 10 the royal
couple and their children. The king
Is then generally compelled TO devote
himself TO state affairs until or
later. when he takes constitutional
with an orderly.
The king and queen dine alone when
y ut entertaining at state dinners. and
Ef ordinary occasions spend their
~ Amos on familIe These homeiika
st ines are the pleasantest moments
F &c lay. alike for the king and
The kings evening is spent In
81 Vs. while his consort INDUCES in
~ r"~o-'te pastime. violin playing