Enter Max

For close onto two months, Belgium has been looking for a Government-- and being disappointed. On Apr. 5, Premier Theunis resigned because the Socialists had gained 12 seats in the general election. King Albert summoned Emile Van der Velde to the palace and invited him to form a Cabinet. He failed (TIME, Apr. 20). The King summoned Charles de Broqueville to the palace and invited him to form a Cabinet. He failed. The King summoned Aloys Van de Vyvere to the palace and invited him to form a Cabinet. He succeeded (TIME, May 25). Like a new kitten, the Van de Vyvere Cabinet staggered blindly on its pins. At the end of nine days, it was ready to open its eyes. Then Burgomaster Adolphe Max of Brussels got busy. His popularity dated back to the fall of 1914, when the Germans were goose-stepping across Belgium in seven-league boots. General Von Suttwitz ordered Max arrested. It was done. Next day. Max was at Namur. A few days later, at Glatz--interned. His townsfolk posted placards--they warned the Germans that they had gasoline, vitriol, butcher knives, and would use them if Max were injured. After languishing four years in a German camp, Max returned. Today, he leads the Liberals in the Chamber of Deputies. He looked upon the Van de Vyvere kitten Cabinet and decided it should not live to be a cat. A motion of want of confidence in the Cabinet was made. Max led the vote against it. The nine-day Cabinet was drowned.

King Albert considered. He commanded Burgomaster Max to attend him at the palace--invited him to form a Cabinet. Max bowed and said he would do his best to form a temporary "business Cabinet" outside of politics.