The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-04-16
Albert is a real "King Am.
ong Men"

| French. The kaiser and his ring Of
iron" generals somewhat overawe
the love of America. We admire
Joffre. His calm, patient, resource
full strength appeals to us. He Is
us. But for Albert l., King of Bel
GUM, we reserve our love.
He is hero, such as We pictured
! in boyhood. He is flash from the
days of chivalry in this age of steel
and mechanics. We love him be-
cause of his bravery. We love him
because of his resoluteness. We love
him because of his modesty. But,
most of all, America gives him its
love because of his humaneness.
King Albert is man to us. We
see him not as a war lord" not an
"autocrat of all the Russias," not as
pitiable figure opening dispatches
in the security of a Westminster. He
is something real, man an Amerl-
can would like to take by the hand
and say:
cal, old fellow, you're all right. I
hope you get along"
The chief of the Belgians is what
writer's and singers for centuries past
have told nations chief should be.
In all Europe he is the only king who
fits the original meaning of the word
the leader of his army. Theoret-
ically, others hold that exalted posi-
ton. The day of theory has passed
with Albert. In the earliest days the
Germans elected their stoutest war
rior to the kingship. Every royal
house owes it's founding to the ex-
ploits of some man on the field of
battle.
Albert was popular prince even
before this war began. After the
mad caprices and immortality of Leo
pold he was like fresh air to a nation
stepped in fetidness. Young, hand
some and democratic, the Belgians
made him their idol. Perhaps they
knew he would not fail in a time of
crisis, but the world did not know It
Particularly in America a king was
a sort of useless parasite who might
be dumped into the discard without
loss to the nation. Albert is no
longer thought of in that class. Eng
land could lose its George and Rus
STA its Nicholas without a ripple. The
loss of Wilhelm or Franz Josef might
be embarrassing just now to Ger
many and the dual kingdom. But
the death of Albert would be an IT.
reparable loss to Belgium, a disaster
greater than the German invasion.
The war has given us some stir
ring pictures of him. Beginning July
2S, when Germany offered to guar,
antee him a kingdom if he would
give it's armies free transport. Tall
and straight he stood before his
ministers and dictated his answer,
Belgium's honor meant more to him
than his crown. He said that in
face of almost certain knowledge that
Belgium would be turned into char
mel house.
Again, when Brussels had been
taken and Won Der Goltz assured Bel
GUM its integrity if it would stop
fighting, Albert's answer was "a des-
perate attack on the German lines
at Malines, which, for four days, held
back the troops intended to re-en-
force the army in France. King AL
bert went into the fight in person at
Malines, leading (not watching with
field glass from the rear) his house
hold cavalry in wild saber charge,
such as the one at Balaclava, which
Tennyson has immortalized.
The Belgian army and the Belgian
government demonstrated with AL
bert for this recklessness.
"My skin is of no more value than
yours" he said in reply. But it was,
and Albert finally was convinced that
1t was. He was the inspiration OF
his soldiers. Tales of his heroism
went through the camps. Here was
king man could fight with and
for. He was no King Petaud, cheer.
ing his army by telegraph. His voice
was his courier. His own kindly
face, which William Philip simm'
says reminds one of the classical
paintings of the Christ, appeared al
the campfres instead of a royal proc
lamation.
Innumerable stories have come o.
his simplicity. In a uniform as plaiI
as that of his humblest officer, un
accompanied by a numerous staff, hi
visits his regiments. He shakes tn,
hand of private soldier. He share
the dry bread and water ration of ;