The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-02-23
LEOPOLD m TAKES
Oath AS 5 new king
OF PROCLAMATION
Officially Succeeds Late Father
at Ceremony y Chamber
Of Deputies
WINS ENTHUSIASTIC CHEER
Anti-RoyaIists Muttsr But No
Demonstrations Are Stag
cd by Them
WINS ENTHUSIASTIC CHEER

Brussels, Feb. 23.-(R-A new king
Of the Belgians. Leopold III, was en-
Friday when the former crown
prince took the oath to defend the
before both houses Of
parliament.
He Officially became king. succeed
Ing his father the late Albert I. at the
conclusion Of the reciting Of the oath
at II o'clock Friday morning.
The 32-year old monarch spoke the
brief oath In French and repeated 1t
In Flemish before the legislators and
assembled dignitaries.
A splendid array Of foreign repre-
and diplomats In the lavish
ly decorated chamber Of deputies
cheered the new ruler with the same
enthusiasm as did thousands Of peo-
pie who watched him on hts ride to
parliament from the royal castle ct
suburban Laeken.
Thousands OF Belgians ecstactically
shouting "vive le Roi" and, waving
flags and handkerchiefs. hailed Leo
pold III on his triumphant ride.
Some sections along the brilliant
route showed less enthusiasm than
others. but there were no organized
counter manifestations.
Hears Roar Of Acclaim
Scattered anti-Royalist element.
among the crowds which pressed II
q solid, cheering. pushing throng along
the streets were drowned out In thu
roar Of acclaim.
For the most part Brussels was In Q
merry mood.
Leopold, himself, was serious and
even grim as he saluted his subjects.
Dressed for the first time in the full
regalia Of q lieutenant general and
wearing white gloves, he rode brown
horse as did the entire gallant com.
pany.
He was q striking figure as he dis.
mounted to be greeted by specia
delegation and escorted to the specia
throne erected In the chamber.
After the swearing-in ceremony. tn.
accession Of Leopold III to the throne
was announced to the waiting thous'
ands outside by trumpeters. They
sounded q fanfare from the steps o.
the parliament building.
A great cheer went up from the mul.
titudes when the king emerged.
Amid shouts Of reclamation, he re-
mounted his horse and headed the pro-
cession which moved through tn,
streets Of Brussels to the royal palac.
In the same order as It had come from
L,4eken.
Queen Goes BY Motor
Queen Astrid, because Of the fac
she Is expecting the birth Of q child
did not participate in the procession
from the royal castle. She was borne
by motor directly to the parliamen
building. There she had been escort
ed to her throne when Leopold enter
ed the chamber.
The scene within the chambers a!
the king took the oath was deepl.
impressive.
As he concluded the whole Assem-,
blage rose.
Mingled with outbursts Of cheering
were shouts Of "vive le Roi" and "viv'
Ia Refine"
The queen mother. the widowe.
Queen Elizabeth. was not present.
Two Communist members Of tn
chamber Of deputies remained seated
These two, who Thursday engaged II
. listic exchange with Socialist depu
ties In the chamber. emitted . serie
Of discordant yells.
The king. in taking the oath. said
II swear to observe the constitution
and the laws Of the Belgian peopl'
and to maintain the national indie
pendence and integrity Of the Belgian
people and the integrity Of the terri
tory"