Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-01

whole population Of the city fought for
its freedom. At one of the entrances
to the town, when the Dutch cavalry
ventured within the towns walls, the
patriotic women of Brussels threw at
them such an avalanche of pots and
pans, filled with boiling soup and burn
ing stakes. accompanied by the red-hot
stoves themselves, that the Dutch fled
in panic. Severe fighting took place in
the park, where the main body of the
Dutch troops was entrenched. A hero
of Napoleonic wars with a wooden leg
fired the only artillery gun in the pos
session of the patriots and occaSioned
heavy casualties in the ranks of the
Dutch. Then after the fourth day the
Dutch retreated and were pursued by
the patriots to Antwerp.
Formed Provisional Government.
In the meantime a provisional gov
eminent was formed in Brussels, in
Guiding such men as Roger, Felix de
Merode, Gendebien, Vom de Weyer and
later De Potter, whose names remain in
Belgian history as q glory of the ma
ton. This provisional government pro-
claimed the national independence of
Belgium on october 4 and summoned
the election Of a congress in order to
draw up constitution for the country.
This congress met on November 10 and
in a historical session on November "a
proclaimed the perpetual exclusion of
the House Of Orange from the Belgian
throne.
At this period the powers interviewed
conference of ambassadors met in
London and under the influence OF
France and Great Britain abandoned
the principle of legitimacy and pro-
claimed Belgium to be an independent
and perpetually neutral state. Austria,
Prussia and Russia had to give their
consent, although Russia did 1t only
because Emperor Nicholas I had to sup
press at this time the first Polish re-
belllon and could not take any steps
that might have endangered his posi-
ton in Russia itself. Nevertheless, as
we know, Nicholas I waited for % years
before recognizing Belgium's independ-
ence and instituting diplomatic rela-
tons between the two countries. This
attitude can be explained, of course, by
his yigid Interpretation of the principles
proclaimed at the congress of Vienna,
but there was perhaps also a personal
reason in 1t, as his sister, Grand
Duchess Anna Pavlovna, was the wife of
Crown Prince William of Orange and
was deprived as future Queen of Hol-
land OF a large wealthy possession
through the desire of the Belgian
people to be free and independent.
On February 3, 1881, the congress
elected Louis Charles Philippe, Duke of
Nemours, the son of King Louis Philippe
OF France, to the throne of Belgium.
But this candidacy was not acceptable
TO Great Britain and Louis-Philippe
wisely declined to give his consent. The
congress then set up a regency and
looked for better candidates It is very
little known that at this time a national
candidate presented himself to the at
tention Of the people of Belgium.
1t was Frederic w, Ernest thon
Prince De Salm-Kybourg His father,
Frederic Othon, was created Prince
OF Hornes and Overisque in the
Low Countries In 1853 by Empress
Maria Theresa. He possessed also in
Belgium the county of Renneberg and
the Seigneuries of Leuze and Pecg. His
to the Belgians, widely
had little results although
some OF its contents might have found
sympathy with the people. He put him
self forward as a national Prince of
Belgium as against the candidates of
foreigners. He adhered in advance to
the terms Of the constitution as elabo-
rated by the congress. He told the peo-
pie that he was Catholic as against
the Protestant faith of the Prince of
Orange, still very much backed by Great
Britain
Then he continued: "I was instructed
In the profession of arms by Napoleon;
the great man honored me with quite
paternal consideration; was at his side
at Frtedland and at Wagram. I will
know therefore now to shed my blood
In defense Of the independence and in
tegrity OF your territory Born
ruler of principally, marched as an
equal of kings; I lived in their midst.
But I have never been touched by the
brilliancy of thrones; have
always seen in the royalty only the
faculty given to one man in order to
make the happiness of a whole nation;
under this aspect 1t is one Of the most
you will honor me with your Suffrage,
you will not crown myself, but the law,
Of which I will glorify myself to be the
irst subject"
Orange Sought Return.
But as eloquent as this appeal had
been, it did not prove its most natural
effects, probably due to the fact that the
country was threatened once more with
the possible return Of the House of
Orange. Two serious a0empts were
made: One in Client on February 2,
and one in Brussels on March 20, 1881.
Those attempts to bring about the rest
oration of the excluded members of the
Royal Dutch family were sponsored by
Lord Ponsonby, one of the members of
the London conference of ambassadors.
Well organized and we'll financed as
they were, they failed, however, due to
the true patriotic spirit of the Belgian
people, who were unanimous In quench-
ing these flames Of restoration. Finally
the crisis opened by the refusal of the
King of France to, grant permission to
his son to ascend the throne of Belgium
was closed by the election of Prince
Leopold Of Sake Cobourg, q man of wis