King of Belgians.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 268, 21 November 1901, Page 1

King of Belgians.

AN INTERVIEAV. Paris, Oct. o, Leopold, King of the Belgians, was asked by a correspondent to-day if the report is true that,he intends to visit Florida during his yachting cruise nest winter. “It is one of my plans,” answered the monarch. “ But I always have many plans ahead to choose from. If I should go to Florida I certainly should visit New York, Washington and Annapolis. Your naval school would certainly interest me as much as anything in America.

The King and the German Ambassador to Paris, Prince Radolin, went very democratically one day this week to the races at Maisons Lafitte. While there they strolled into the cafe attached to the owners’ stand and sat long, chatting over their glasses of beer. A German waiter, ignorant of who the King was, said audibly in French to another waiter:

“ Did you ever see such a talkative customer as this long-nosed Dutchman ? I wonder how much he is going to give me.”

A few minutes later the King called the waiter to pay for the drinks. Holding out a Belgian gold Louis he said:

“ Allow the long-nosed Dutchman to present you with his portrait. I am the man whose effigy is stamped here.” The correspondent inquired of the King if it had ever been suggested that he should take precautions against Anarchists and cranks. He replied :

“ Precautions have ever proved ineffectual. Ail the prominent men killed were surrounded with precautions. I prefer going about this way, as unguarded as you are. Besides, I would, just as lief be killed as feel that detectives were constantly all about me.”