The sun., 1919-10-02
why We Americans welcome Kins
Albert.

Stalwarts for democracy as we
Americans are, we can, nevertheless,
and we do, give warmest welcome to
ALBERT, King Of the Belgians. When
both his manhood and his record
transcend name or Office. we lay aside
theories to face the facts and do
honor to human achievement.
For, in time beyond recorded his
tory, the "king." as some scholars be-
lieve and insist, meant 'the man who
can do It." Without controversy, the
king in pre-ancient days was the lead
err; he who at the van Of things Sc
cured victory.
In this light ALBERT is every inch a
king. Called suddenly In 1909 to lead
nation, his personality and achieve
ments inaugurated a new era. Bel
GUM Is the meeting place Of two
races that have been In hostile array
and at intermittent war for thou
sand years. In the little country it.
self these races, Flemings and Wal
looms, speaking Dutch and French,
are represented by millions. Yet
here. one may almost say, European
democracy had its birth. Rising
above mere inheritances, whether of
prejudice or natural endowments,
these peoples, Flemings and Walloons,
each cherishing its own language and
respecting each others idiosyncrasies
have dwelt in harmonious unity as a
nation. Again and again have they
repealed invasions from both east and
west. Both France and Germany
have had to respect their inextinguish-
able love of freedom.
Yet the task of the leadership Of a
State which in its modern form dates
from 1S30-"a creation of diplomacy
its perpetual neutrality" guaranteed,
on paper, as it proved, by the great
Powers--was no easy one. No navy
was permitted, and Belgium was
shorn In other ways Of the prerog-
atives of a sovereign State. ALBEIT
was called to be King, that is, umpire
In the difficult game, In 1909, just at
time when Germany was known
through the publications. Of her OWN
writer's to cherish plans Of world con-
quest through her ''Kultur." Besides
these open assertions in print were
the ominous and unmistakable signs
of vastly increased armies and mill
tary budgets In addition was the
economic and peaceful invasion Of Bel
GUM by tens of thousands Of Ger
mans seeking their fortunes at Ant
werp and In Flanders.
When LEOPOLD H., after a reign OF
forty-four years, died on December
II, 1909, leaving no issue. his only
son BALDWIN having died in 1891, his
nephew ALBERT, born April 8. 1875
was called to the highest servanthood
"a thrOne-but with a record. He
had visited the United States, not as
tourist only but as student. He re-
turned home with admiration OF our
institutions and a profounder under
standing of our race problems. He
then explored Africa, especially the
Belgian Congo land. His first object
was to make himself familiar with
that part of the earth which his uncle
had revealed to the world. He was
determined also to prove to timid
youth and dllettante stay at homes
that a white man who had temper
ance and grit could live in the central
portion of the Dark Continent
Full proof of his nobility by nature
rather than by heritage, wars or ac-
cident was soon given by tho young
King. To-day the new postage stamp.
showing him in uniform and steel he'll
met, significant of Belgium us victor
in war, and the presence in Washing
ton of an Ambassador-instead Of a
Minister Resident-in proof Of Bel
GUMS full sovereignty impress the
world at large. Belgium is now an
unshackled nation and no longer "a
creation of diplomacy" King and
people, put to the fiery trial, have
stood the test and emerged knights
among the nations, without fear and
without reproach."
The story of the war and of the
lands desolation because Belgium re-
fused to sell her soul is too we'll
known to be here repeated, but the
English historians early prophecy
that when peace came, after heroic
resistance, the name of ALBERT would
lead all the rest" was fulfilled. But
/ how and why2 The secret of so
united nation, what is It?
In June, 1918, the will Of the ma
ton, as expressed at the polls, was
again defeated-as had repeatedly oc-
Cured before-because in the Con-
stitutlon of 1880 the now discredited
English device of plural voting had
been adopted. The Liberals, to change
the long rule of the Clericals and
secure manhood suffrage, now used
another method, in which men of all
classes, creeds and political affilla-
lions took part. For ten days the traf-
fc ana business Of the country were
virtually paralyzed. Yet during this
time Of expected storm but of real ma
tional calm. with no bloodshed or de-