Show King of Belgians Yields Royal Powers to Son BRUSSELS Belgium July 16 CT King Kin King Leopold III gave up his throne here Monday stepping stepping step step- ping down in fa favor v o of his elder elderson elderson elderson son Prince Baudouin The king signed the abdication document ending his year 17 reign at 1219 pm p.m. am a.m. EST in the ballroom of Brussels Royal Palace The abdication act was countersigned countersigned countersigned counter counter- signed by Prince Baudouin as chief of state and by Prime Minister Minister Minis Minis- ter Joseph and Justice Minister Ludovic l the crown notary Nearly other prominent Belgian government personalities gathered to witness the dramatic ceremony which came after years of bitter wrangling over the kings king's marriage to a commoner commoner com com- moner and his relations with the Germans during World War Var II Before he signed Leopold called on the nation to rally round his son who succeeded his father immediately as king of the Belgians Leopold spoke first firstin in Flemish then in French his French his country's two national languages Baudouin does not receive the royal powers until Tuesday when he takes the oath to the constitution constitution constitution con con- before Parliament In Inthe Inthe Inthe the interim 24 hours the cabinet will hold the royal powers The king himself had asked that the abdication ceremony be kept as quiet as possible It was in sharp contrast to his spectacular lar horseback entry into Brussels 17 years ago at the start of his reign following the death of his father King Albert in a n mountain mountain mountain moun moun- tain climbing accident L. L I j 1 |