Leopold III, King of the Belgians
New Reign opens auspiciously amid Manifestations of Loyalty.
Belgium Indivisible and Independent."
Specially contributed to the Ypres Times.
By Henry Benson, M.A.
IT will be generally conceded that King Leopold III. has ascended the throne of Belgium
in the face of exceptional difficulties, both at home and abroad, and that, in
succeeding a father whose name must always rank high on the roll of constitutional
monarchs, although he has a fine heritage to start from, he has a lofty standard to
maintain.
King Albert's Noble Example.
In a very literal sense the late King Albert incarnated the unity and permanent life
of his countryhe was the rallying-point for all good citizenshe bridged the gulf
between classes and peaceably adjusted the conflict between parties. Ministries came
and went in almost bewildering succession, but he remained continuously hiving a store
of disinterested experience, which came to exceed that of any politician. Moreover,
outside Parliamentary and Ministerial affairs, he fostered sympathetically all the main
developments of Belgium's national lifeits industry and trade, its local government
and philanthropy, its science and technology, its art and literature, its festivities and
sport, its culture and education whilst in all these important activities he had the
supreme good fortune to receive the wholehearted co-operation and support of his
gracious Consort, Queen Elisabeth.
King Leopold's Personal Characteristics.
Although King Albert's death was both premature and tragic, Belgium has not
been called upon to suffer the misfortune of a minority succession. King Leopold is
thirty-two years of age, he has been carefully trained, he worked hard at his apprentice
ship, and has already shown that he has inherited character and capacity.
His accession speech justifies the fairest hopes. Belgium indivisible and in
dependent was its keynotewhilst admirable and courageous were the words in which
he affirmed his faith, that social peace and justice could be achieved in orderly and
legal fashion within the constitution of the country. In these days of dictatorships
one warms to the spectacle of a people and King who have not yet despaired of combining
liberty with progress.
