King Leopold of Belgium
The question of King Leopold's retention of the Belgium throne is hanging in the balance. That appears to be the outcome of a visit of a Belgian Government delegation, including the Prime Minister, M. Van Acker, to Salzburg, where the King has been a prisoner. His health has suffered from long detention in a German fortress, and it. is on that ground that he has written to his brother, Prince Charles, asking him to continue in the office of Regent. No doubt there are also other reasons which have prompted him
to delay his return. His personal position has been among the causes of political differences in Belgium. There are many who are not against the Monarchy as such to whom King Leopold has ceased to be persona grata ; and among these are some who.feel that he had personal associates whose influence on public life was not for its good. Regarding his brother Charles there has been no such feeling, though there are groups in Belgian politics who would prefer to have a Republican form of government. King Leopold has the disadvantage of being a monarch in exile through no fault of his own. He is out of touch with life in his own country, where, indeed, the political position is confused enough in any case, and the Government for the present rests on compro- mises and can hope to do no more than deal with pressing questions of day-to-day administration. The King has very wisely taken the decision to keep away from Belgium during the interim period. The time has not yet come for ascertaining the considered wishes of the nation at a General Election. It is a matter which concerns nobody but the people of Belgium themselves, and no outside Power— certainly not Great Britain—will wish to influence their decision.
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