On Tuesday the German Emperor and Empress arrived in Brussels
on a visit to the King of the Belgians. It will be remembered that the first official visit of King Albert and Queen Elizabeth after their accession was to Berlin. It is unnecessary therefore to discover in the German Emperor's visit any other motives than those of custom and courtesy. The special correspondent of the Times says that the Emperor was received by the Belgian people with politeness but distinctly without enthusiasm. There had been much talk (just as there was here at the time of the Tsar's visit) of a hostile demonstration by the Socialists. But eventually on the recommendation of M. Vandervelde the Seeialists decided to signify disapproval of the Emperor's militarism by absent- ing themselves from the route of the procession. This was reasonable, and is another example of M. Vandervelde's good sense ; but we are not surprised to learn that the curiosity of a large number of Socialists to see the object of their strictures quite overcame their self-denying ordinance.
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