The Washington herald., 1914-11-30
ROYAL EXAMPLE
inspires nation
Bravery and Devotion Shown
by Belgian Rulers Fires
Peoples Hearts.
STAND BY TO BITTER END
Rather Than Exile Themselves, King
Albert and Consort Remain Faith
ful 10 Stricken Subjects.

King Albert and his devoted consort
are now leading q warIike existence in
the one little corner Of their devastated
kingdom. which Is still free from the m
vading Germans.
| The modesty resourcefulness and inde-
fatgable devotion to duty displayed by
Queen Elizabeth, and the loyalty, con-
stancy, and heroism Of King Albert, ever
since the beginning of the war, have
proved the greatest comfort and consO-
lation to their people. The royal exam
pie has stimulated their subjects to the
heroic efforts which have been made
throughout the land during their time OF
trouble, and has inspired them with con-
fldence In the future.
King Albert and his Queen, who %
often found themselves obliged to retreat
before the advancing enemy. always
waited to the last moment before follow
ing their own army. Only on one occa-
sion did Queen Elizabeth leave her hus-
bands side; that was when her majesty
removed her children to England out OF
reach OF the bombs OF the Zeppelins.
which in Antwerp made so many at
tempts to wreck the royal residence. She
had hardly settled her family in Eng
land when King Albert telegraphed for
her to return to Antwerp.
why ask her majesty to return?
secretary TO King Albert; ''the position.
fear, has not at all improved
That Is just my reason" replied the
King Of the Belgians, 'for the Queen
made me promise to recall her If the sit
uation became grave
Two days later the Queen was back in
Antwerp ~and only left when the King
turned his back upon the doomed city.
Later, at Ostend, when the King was
Queen Elizabeth remained behind, and
could not be persuaded to go until she
had been satisfied that all the wounded
had been removed. 1t was only an hour
after her departure that the advance
guard of the Germans entered the town.
Since then the Belgian sOvereigns have
lived in a modest abode, but still on their
beloved territory. This must help to
cheer and strengthen them. for at least
they have not been obliged to exile them
selves.
A few days ago, early in the morning.
when the sun had barely risen. a bell
was ringing summoning the faithful to
prayer in the village church. The doors
OF the villa opened. and onto the gravel
path stepped tall, slender man, in the
undress uniform of a Belgian general.
He was followed by a lady, dressed in A
tailor-made blue serge coat and skirt,
neat and perfectly plain little hat. with
q piece Of white ribbon upon it. 1t was
the King and the Queen They were
followed by an officer. who walked at a
respectful pace and so. without further
escort, they proceeded to the church.
They walked slowly on, without speaking
to each other. Their path led them
across the sand dunes, which were de-
serted. and so they arrived at the little
house of prayer unnoticed.
See AerOpIane Overhead.
At this moment an aeroplane few over
head; It was not very high up. The
King who, until then, had been walking
with his eyes looking upon the ground
raised his head. He took from his pocket
a pair OF field glasses and gazed up into
the air. He soon recognized to what ma
tionality 1t belonged. for he turned to the
Queen, and reassuring her majesty. re-
marked, That is a French UIchIns;
that's we'll" For a moment or two they
stood and watched the aviator flying to-
ward the enemys lines, then the King
pushed the church door gently open, and
they both entered. The church vas
crowded, but no one recognized them
This King and Queen of sorrows chose
a seat near the back of the aisle. and
knelt by each others side in silent
prayer.
Later some of the worshippers recOg-
nized them, and the news spread RAPIDLY.
The congregation had moved out of the
church. and when their majesties appear
ed. received them in sympathetic silence,
respectfully bowling: then suddenly lit
tie girl waved her hand. and cried, 'Nive
la refine! Wv la Belgique"'
A roar went up and a scene of the
greatest enthusiasm ensued. Their
naiesties slowly retraced their steps
along the path by the sea, whose waves
reach close up to the villa which serves
them as a refuge. They walked side by
side: they looked sad. They did not real
ize, perhaps, that by their simple act of
devotion in attending mass in common
with the humblest OF their subjects they
had left an indelible impression upon that
congregation that will not be forgotten in
Belgium