KING ALBERT OF BELGIUM

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 11, 8 October 1919, Page 4

KING ALBERT OF BELGIUM

All the Belgians seem to be asreect on ono point, they ars "for King Albert." Even the Socialists, sayn tho '-'Christian Science Monitor," declare that they aro against kings in general, but for Albert in particular. Socialists of prominenceattend functions at the- Palace, which used to be considered something no Socialist would do,. B.nd .there incidentally they are likely to. meet libpablican members of the Chamber <f .Representatives, which' is another indication of the universal regard in. which .the King is hold by everybody in Belgium. _ A correspondent tells from observation, of the freedom with which the King goes about in public places without tho armed escort or the:invisible-cohort of secret servico men .that nowadays follows a ruler as the tail- follows a kite; now and then "some sunburned boy witli big wooden shoes-would-doff his cap in front of tho King and shout, •'Vivo lo Hoi!' which woidd be. taken, up lustily, by tho boys and girls around."- And when the King drives out with a distinguished visitor, even a President of the United States, it is noticeable that the people- cheer"'for their own King first and the distinguished visitor afterward, -which, if not strictly according to etiquicttc, is none th.ii less something for the King to be proud of. . •