NEW MONARCH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18331, 24 February 1934, Page 5

NEW MONARCH

. LEOPOLD’S ACCESSION ENTHUSIASTIC SCENES FEARS OF DISORDERS ; COMMUNIST AGITATION (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received Feb. 24, noon.) BRUSSELS, Feb. 23. With all the city’s bells pealing joyously, and a salute of 101 guns booming, King Leopold, on a white charger and in a 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, and then the famous Burgomaster, Max, of the Municipal Council, saluted. The entire route was packed with cheering crowds. In the Chamber of Deputies, whither the Queen had preceded hint, King ■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 devote myself entirely to Belgium. ■The Queen will assist me* with all her heart.” This evoked an outburst of cheering, .and 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 officials.

Immediately the brief ceremony was over Their Majesties drove back to Laeken through enthusiastic crowds.

FIGIIT IN PARLIAMENT

Within an hour of the burial of King Albert, tear gas bombs and machine guns were issued to the gendarmerie in view of the fear of a' Communist demonstration at the coronation.

The Liege police report that three Frenchmen and a Spaniard, well-known agitators, have gone to Brussels to foment trouble.

Prince Humbert, whose life was attempted on the occasion of the announcement of his betrothal to King Albert’s daughter, has decided to remain. The Prince of Wales left by train to-day on the return journey to England. A free fight in the Belgian Parliament broke out last evening, when a loyal address to King Leopold was discussed. Flemish Separatists and Communists objected Jto the address being composed in private. A Fleming, M. Borgin, declared that King Albeit had done nothing for the Flemings. A Communist, M. Lahaut, insinuated that possibly King Albert’s death was not due to accident caused an immediate! uproar. The President ordered M. Lahaut to ' cease speaking. M. Jacqucmotte, a Communist, accused the Socialists of hypocrisy in attending the King’s funeral, whereupon there were heated exchanges, leading to blows. Eventually the Chamber sat in camera. THE NEW MONARCH LONDON TIMES TRIBUTE LONDON, Feb. 23. The Times, in a leading article, says. “The extraordinary manifestations of national grief .left no doubt of the load of Belgium’s sorrow. Prince Leopold takes up the King’s task. He has shown himself thoughtful, intelligent, simple, dignified, and hard-working. He has been wisely trained by his father’s guidance for his onerous task. Personality and education give promise that he will follow his father’s footsteps. He has a task which will test a Icing’s wisdom and capacity.’’ WREATH IN WELLINGTON TRIBUTE TO N.Z.E.F. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. M. Armand Nihotte, Consul-General for Belgium, placed a wreath decorated with Belgian colors on the Wellington War Memorial. An attached card bore the following inscription: “In grateful remembrance •of my comrades in arms of the New ’Zealand Expeditionary Force who fell on Belgian soil, and by their sacrifice helped our deeply-lamented and beloved King Albert to free Belgium.”