NEW BELGIAN KING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 63, 24 February 1934, Page 7

NEW BELGIAN KING

' LEOPOLD TAKES OATH

Cheering Crowds in Streets

CEREMONY IN CHAMBER 'By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received 24, 10.5 a.m.) BRUSSELS, Feb. 23. With all the city’s bells pealing joyously and the salute of a hundred and one guns booming, Prince Leopold, on a white charger and in general’s uniform, rode from Laeken Palace to Parliament House with a cavalry escort. Outside the palace the general staff of the army presented homage. Then the famous Burgomaster Max. of the Municipal Council, saluted. The entire route jvas packed with cheering crowds. In the Chamber of Deputies, whither the Queen had preceded him, Leopold, from the throne, took the oath of allegiance in a firm, strong voice, first in French and then in Flemish. He read a brief address, concluding: “I will devote myself entirely to Belgium. The Queen will assist me with all her heart." This evoked an outburst of cheering •nd cries of "Long live the King!” from the audience, which included the Prince of Wales, other visiting Royalties, members of the two chambers, magistrates, councillors and officialsImmediately the brief ceremony was over their Majesties drove back to Laeken through enthusiastic crowds. COMMUNISTS INTERRUPT Words Drowned in Cheers

(Received 24, 2.10 p.m.) BRUSSELS, Feb. 23. Only one incident maned to-day’s ceremonies. Two Communist deputies entered the Chamber in lounge suits instead of the customary evening dress. They refrained from cheering on the entrance of the Queen and shouted something when the King entered, but the words were drowned in the general volume of cheering. King Leopold’s speech referred to the difficulties attached to the maintenance of the oath and said that he could not Ho better than to follow the example of his predecessors, whose traditions had placed the dynasty always at the nation's service. This explained the unanimous tribute to the memory of his father, “for which my mother and myself ioin in expressing gratitude.” He added that his lather had always tried to ensure a union of hearts between all clades. “I will do the same, •nd also will be deeply interested in colonial development,” he said.