The Washington times., 1919-10-31
DC. Man Drdws Graphic
Pen Picture of Albert,
Big King of Little Land
By JEAN KNOTT.

propaganda" they say. But / heard
debate one night on the moral quail
tiles Of these two kings, in which
Belgian deputy said: 'If Leopold II
had been King when the Germans
wanted to come in, he would have
said: What win you give? and he
would have made a brilliant bargain
for the country. This King simply
said you have no right to ask such
thing. We are an honorable peo-
pie. We have to keep our word. II
you come we shall have to fight. The
remark in regard to Leopold II was
unjust, but il was accurate concern
ing Albert.
Now, more specifically about his
IDEAS Of government:
He once said: ''The first duty of
the King is to be the servant of all
the people" He is is a constitutional
monarch and legally can act only
through his ministers. He has re-
spected the Limitations placed upon
him and has been contented to exert
moral influence During the war, Of
course, as head of the government
and comamnder-in-chief of the armies,
he has actually exercised great pow.
er. And after the armistice, when he
re-entered the country, he practically
effected coup d'etat.
Bitter Politics.
King Albert rules a nation where
political differences are very bitter.
Belgium is the only country where
the Catholic church gives its ran0 to
a political party. For forty wears
before the war the Catholic party
has ruled Belgium. In opposition
were the Liberals. an anti-Catholic
party, and the Socialists. who claim
to be the only economic liberals in
the country.
When the war came, the King
called Count Goblet d'AlvieIla, the
Liberal, and Emile Vandervelds, the
Socialist leader, to the government
and the country received the appoint.
ments with burst OF enthusiasm.
He sent Hymans, another Liberal,
as ambassador to London and then
called him later to be minister of for
eign affairs; and at the same time
added Brunei, a Sc cond Socialist, to
the cabinet. The old Catholic lead
ers, Van de Vyvere, Carton de Wharf,
Broqueville, worked loyalty with
these strange yokefellows, which the
King had given them.
King Albert has both French and
German blood in his veins. 1t makes
him appreciate the quick thinking
quick acting Walloons of Namur and
Liege, and also the solid, unyielding
Flemings OF his kingdom.
Economics sound.
His economics are sound, and he
sees clearly the need of every pair Of
hands, German or Belgian, to help re-
build the world. I doubt IL this King
who has suffered so cruelty will ever
be guilty of the stupidity of trying to
prevent the Germans from doing their
share OF economic rehabilitation.
In the little Flemish village Of
Houtham, seven miles from the front
trenches, the Belgian general staff had
Its headquarters, crowding into the
priests house, the meat market, and
various other strange places, for Of
fice room. In the little, low room in
house OF the priest King Albert was
often at work. The surroundings
were as simple as the monarch. There
were garden vegetables under his Of
nee window, and the priests books on
the shelf above his head. Yet. in that
little, low-ceilinged, humble room
there gathered one day the King of
England, the King Of Italy, the Presi-
dent of France and King Albert.
The King and Queen lived at La
Panne, on the coast, except for a few
months when they went to a farm
near by. Many times the traveller at
sunset or just after dark could see the
King pacing up and down the road