From a Special Correspondent
IT is confidently expected in Royalist circles that the King of the Belgians will return to his throne in a few days. The Government, pledged to bring the King back to the throne, enjoys a majority in both the Senate and Chamber, and it has so far secured the traditional vote of confidence in each.
At this moment both Houses are sitting in joint session to vote the end of the Regency and the return of King Leopold.
The Opposition, Socialists, Liberals and Communists, know they have lost the fight against the Throne. No longer do they threaten strikes and disturbances.
They have adopted the tactics of systematic obstruction in Parliament to delay the final vote. Therefore the joint session may last some days more.
Down with priests'
The first joint session was held last week, and here is a picture I take from the report in the Libre Belgique:
" The public in the gallery, the Diplomatic Corps, the Prince Regent's private secretaries, and all the national and international Press representatives were witnesses of the Socialist. Liberal and Communist vociferations.
"They heard—and clearly, too— the Left choir singing (not to use the other word) in one single voice with their whole anti-clerical souls their rally-cry: Down with the clergy! Doan with the priests!" The public manifestation organised by the Socialist Party, with Liberal participation, on a grandiose scale last week end in Brussels to render homage to the Prince Regent —without the Regent's consent or approval—is widely considered as a doubtful compliment.
The Belgian National Anthem was not played. The "Marseillaise" was sung, and—one wonders why— the English "God Save the King."