New-York tribune., 1911-02-13
KAISER AND BELGIUM
Leopold's Deal with William Re-
pudiated by His Ministers.

Copyright. 1911. BY the Brentwood c-on,nanv)
London's Pail Mall Gazette" Ia mani
festIy endowed with a short memory in
devoting so much Importance TO the story
Of the discovery among King Leopold's
papers of a complete plan for tho German
invasion of France through Belgium. with
the assistance of his army and military
strongholds. That such a plan existed is
no secret whatever, and It has long been
known in every diplomatic chancellery of
Europe as we'll as at the State Depart
ment at Washington that twelve or thirteen
years ago Leopold had concluded an agree
ment with the Kaiser whereby he placed
not only his country but also his army at
the disposal of Germany in the event of
the latters war with France
The fact was revealed by Leopold him
self in a moment of postprandial exuber-
ance during visit which he paid on board
his yacht. the Alberta. TO Emperor William
at Kel in which he referred 10 the En-
peror as his ally" and, urging him 10 visit
Brussels, declared that he could promise
that his Teuton majesty would be pleased
and satisfied with the aspect of your
troops there. He did not say my" troops.
but your troops. intimating that they
would be under the command of the Kaiser.
So great was the sensation created by this
and other remarks of an analogous order,
all tending to show that the Belgian army
would he cooperating with Germany under
the orders Of the Kaiser in the event of
the latter's war with France, that the Paris
government felt itself compelled TO address
very strongly worded inquiries to the Brus-
M ch
promptly disavowed and repudiated King
Leopolds remarks and the Interpretation
placed thereon. denying that any agree
ment of any kind, secret or otherwise. eX-
listed between Belgium and Germany. point
ing out. moreover, that the Belgian gov
ernment alone had the right to conclude
alliances and treaties with foreign powers.
which We're subject TO parliamentary rati-
fiCation, and that any private arrange
rent that King Leopold might have made.
admitting that he had done so, would have
no binding force on the Belgian govern
ment which was imbued with the friend
liest sentiments toward France.
This announcement, which was in so
many words O reputation by the Belgian
government Of King Leopold. received vide
spread publicity a the time, as well as the
Endorsement and the approval of the entire
Belgian people. and caused Leopold TO be-
come so angry that he was on the point of
abdication.
His agreement with the Kaiser. which
he had so indiscreetly revealed. and which
is known to have existed placing his troops
and his fortresses at the disposal of Ger
many i'm the event of her war with France
Yr,c % IN
mort against France. England and the
United States I'm connection with their
efforts to put an end TO his maladminlstra-
tlon of the Congo Free State and there Is
no doubt that he would gladly have come
at the time to some arrangement for pac-
ing the Free state under the protection OF
Germany. as within the sphere of the 1eu-
ton empire had not the Kaiser realized that
if would embroil him in a conflict with
France. Great Britain. and probably the
United States.
After the reputation by the Belgian gov
ernment Of any secret arrangements when
its King might have made with the Kaiser
the latter found II useless TO support any
longer I,eopold's tyranny In the Congo
which had excited the utmost horror ana
execration throughout the length ana
breadth of Germany. From that moment
forth the Emperor had no more use FOR
Ieopold. and Joined in the boycott to which
that monarch was subjected by his BROTHER
sovereigns Of Europe. The Kaiserin. IN
narticular. entertained the most intense
aversion 10 him, and some years later, when
the newspapers took on themselves to an
,o,,pca that the Emperor and Empress
mould visit Brussels on their way back 10
Rar,in from stay at Windsor, the Kaiser
oausad an Official communication to he pub
Ushed. in the official gazette al penn"
DENYING in q manner most insulting 10 N.ne
Leopold. that he had ever had any luea
whatsoever of paving visit TO the court
of Brussels then or at any other Tune