"You have written and attested that the creation of the African State was the personal work of the King. In his person, then, you have recognized the man, the head of the family—and therefore the family itself; otherwise the word personal is without meaning.... And, as a matter of fact, it has suddenly lost its meaning. The King, now an entity without terrestrial chains, has enriched Belgium to the exclusion of his children, who are declared non-existent.
"And how, with or without you, has he been honoured?
"In continuing the endowment of Niederfullbach and other creations of this gifted benefactor?
"Ah! In no way whatever!
"You have liquidated, realized, destroyed and abandoned all that he conceived and ordered. I do not wish to describe in detail all that has passed, and I have no desire to touch on the sadness connected with the secrets of Niederfullbach and other works of the King, from the day when they ceased to be under his direction. I will take my stand on the ground of the sin against morality which most concerns me.
"Eleven years have passed since the death of the 'Great King.' Where is the monument erected to his memory?
"The people of Ostend, who owe to him the prosperity and beauty of their town, have not even dared to show an example of their gratitude. They are afraid of vexing the ungrateful people of Brussels, who prefer silence."
His wishes with respect to the Congo and his heirs are in three documents, which I append below:
First:
(I) An explanatory letter of the King, dated June 3, 1906, in testamentary form.