The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-09-06
EUROPEAN WAR PERSONALITIES.
By WILLIAM ATHERToN DU PUY.
THE HANDsoMEsT RULER IN ALL
EUROPE.

NHE ABANDONMENT RULER IN ALL
EUROPE.
| Many an American tourist has been
lunching in the cafe OF the Hotel de Vile
Brussels, that historic structure which
has stood as the hub Of the nation OF
Belgium for six centuries, when King
| Albert himself has entered informally
and sat at a nearby table. Such q
! tourist has been given q closeup look AZ
the handsomest ruler in all Europe and
| one OF the most attractive men whom
| II had ever been his lot to look upon.
On such an occasion the King would
be wearing street clothes and there would
be nothing in his appearance to indicate
that his rank differed from that OF the
other diners. One would instinctively
look his way. for he is an outstanding
fellow, six feet two inches in height.
I 1.-the, athletic, squart-shouldered. He Ii
Just now thirty-nine years OF age and in
the very prime OF his manhood. His face
Is no less pleasing than his body. for
Albert of Belgium is a clean, earnest.
high-minded young man OF benevolent
mein, OF the square-faced. blonde-haired.
silky-mustached type. His features are
regular and strong. his manner frank and
intelligent He looks every inch a man
and seems TO prefer being a man to being
a king.
1t was late in 1903 that Leopold II died.
During the last ten years OF that strong
headed rulers regime his private life had
been such that he had become a social
outcast. He had visited the Kaiser and
the Kaiserin had refused to see him. He
had been shown TO be persona non grata
at the English court. Even the wife OF
Prince Albert, who was to succeed him.
remained constantly out OF Brussels that
she might not be forced into his COM
pany. His private escapsdes had alien
ated the affections OF his subjects TO
such an extent that there was talk Of
making Belgium a reuublic. His high
handed disregard for the welfare OF his
people had added fuel TO the fire.
Albert, his nephew. had TO overcome
all this when the old King died. The
young man had just returned from the
Congo at the time. His reception by the
populace indicated that the love OF the
prince was what prevented action on the
part Of the republicans. In his corona
ton address he evidently sought TO make
amends for the indiscretions Of Leopold
when he said:
We develop in our childrens hearts
the love OF the native land. the love of
our family. the love OF all that is good;
these are the virtues which make ma
tons strong"
These words the King has made a sort
OF working program. To him being king
is not glory that is to be used for his
own pleasure. II Is a responsibility TO a
people for the proper conduct OF their
affairs that their government may give
them the greatest possible benefit.
King Albert was making his accession
visits when Brussels suffered a serious
fire. He FASTENED home to bear his par
in the calamity. When King Edward
died the formalities were such that the
Belgian ruler might not under a strict
interpre alton Of court etiquette. visit
England. He waved the formalities and
went anyway. Leopold had so handled
the Congo that his extortions were q
scandal and he was near a clash with
England. The young King laid out a new
program and brought about harmony. He
holds to the reasonable theory that Bel
GUM will ultimately benefit as the con-
ditions Of natives are improved
In his visits TO the courts OF Europe he
was so charming and diplomatic that he
won all whom he met II was not long
before the European press began TO sug-
Eest that new influence was being felt
among the crowned hads and that this
influence was welded by Albert of Bel
GUM. King Edward OF England had al
ways been the arbitor in court circles
and all Europe leaned upon him when
there were Particularly delicate matters
that required adjusting. Albert is young
and is the ruler Of a small though rich
country. There have been those who OF
late. have held that his will develop
into the levelest head in all Europe and
that he will ultimately take the place
around Continental council tables former
ly occupied by Edward
Back OF all this there was a most
= holesome youth. Albert was a nephew
Of the old King and his father and an
elder brother stood between him and the
throne. The father was stone deaf ant
mis- tastes were agricultural. His sons
grew up wholesomely and he eldest was
trained for the succession. Albert led the
outdoor life OF country gentleman and
studied social problems from preference |
He had a knack for writing and as
'ociated himself with a weekly publica-
ton. He carried a police badge and pur- !
sued the item OF interest as democratic /
Ally as any cub reporter.
Then he went forth TO see the world !
One of the first countries ne visited was
he United States, where his rank at |
.racted little attention and where he !
vent about, still with the instincts OF |
eporer. making notes. Any one who |
would like to know what the present !
King of Belgium thought Ct the nation |
lie wrote upon his return home to find !
out. What is more. it is not a bad |
book for a mere king to write.
Albert went all around the world in
he spirit Of the serious observer ans
earned many things that are denied the
lverage heir to a throne, for these are
Usually kept so apart from the masses
hat there is little opportunity to learn OF
uman beings which are. in reality. the
took in trade OF a ruler. The ener-
etc Young traveller. likewise, tramped
through all the jungles of the Congo
nd another book was the result OF his
When the fortress OF Liege dared bar
he way OF the troops OF Germany. the
Iaiser sent a peremptory note to King
Albert demanding its immediate sur
ender and stating that Eeppelins would
estroy it in case he did not comply.
Try" laconically replied the King.
During the weeks that followed the
selgians every day saw their King. Clad
4 the plainest sort Of a Coloners uni
orm, he sped in a high-power car from
ne point to another OF the lines OF de-
ense. consulting. advising. cheering on
is officers and men. Philosophically he
ccepted the situation and stood ready
D stand the cost OF a war that he con-
dered right. Steadfastly did he refuse
o treat with Germany on any basis that
-ould recognize the right of entry into
belgium. Id
While the King was on the firing line (
he people of Belgium knew where their 4
ueen might be found. Elizabeth has ,
cen constantly in the hospitals minis {
sring to the wounded. This Queen Of
elCium is the ideal mate for an active.
emocrstic King. who takes his respon-