DEATH-BED SIGNATURE

North Otago Times, Volume CI, Issue 13234, 4 March 1915, Page 2

DEATH-BED SIGNATURE

LAST OI^ICIAL/ACT.OP LEOPOLD

TW/Plll'lg Mtttil) relates, tliat the lute ltlug Leopold 11., when the" forts of Antwerp, Iluy, and Naiiiur lvdrc being constructed under liia-. orders,. found among his entourage aiul his familiar friends it spirit of resistance to his plans which "caused him tlio greatest dissatisfaction. The journal in this connection gives the''.following*account of tlie liist days of the King's loigut—- " Ills Majesty was lying down' in readiness for the terrible operation, tlio results of which were destined to be fatal, when the Military Bill, which was very near to his heart, came up for discussion in the Chamber, "Turning towards the .doctor, tlio King said: 'How long htive-l to live/ ,M 1 urn not asking for line words. I know, that 1 am neiiring' iny end.' " 'Very well, sire, 1 four early tomorrow—' " 'Send thcl'remier to me,' said the King. \ ''The Minister came, and the King said to liini: " '!iir, I am delighted thai the Chamber litis passed |Jh' military law, which will allow Belgium in case of need to defend her independence, I beg you to take the Bill lo the Senate to-day. " 'You will I ell Iho senators tliat their old King, oil the point of death, asks them to pass in their lurn, with all speedy and' without modifications, this Bill, in order thai it may be possible lo promulgate it without delay.' " Tliis w/is done, as the monarch requested. On the same day the 'Bill was adopted unanimously and without discussion by the Senate. King Leopold signed it at eight o'clock, and on the following morning at two o'clock lie breathed his last.