One of the formerly inconspicuous Continental figures forced into the forefront of history during the few past weeks
is that of the King of the Belgians, who has taken the field with the forces which stubbornly resisted the in-
vading German armies. King Albert is in his fortieth year; he is the nephew of the late King, Leopold II,
who died in 1909. In 1900 Albert married the Duchess Elizabeth of Bavaria; he has three children

FIELD MARSHAL SIR JOHN FRENCH, COMMANDER OF THE
BRITISH FORCES IN BELGIUM

General French has won special fame as a cavalry leader; he took a prominent part in the Boer War, both in the
relief of Kimberley and in the capture of Pretoria. He was born in 1852, and his early training was for the navy

READING THE MOBILIZATION PROCLAMATION IN LONDON The King's proclamation mobilizing the British forces was read, according to ancient custom, by the common crier, in front of the Royal Exchange. Probably London has not seen such excitement since the days of the Boer War

ENGLISH TROOPS LEAVING FOR THE FRONT
An aeroplane propeller in its case is seen strapped to the side of the motor truck

KAISER WILHELM AND HIS CHIEF OF STAFF,
COUNT VON MOLTKE

This photograph was taken on the field during recent maneuvers of the German
army

PHOTOGRAPH BY PAUL THOMPSON

GENERAL JOFFRE, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
OF THE FRENCH ARMIES

The French Commander in-Chief is a man of about sixty-five; he served in the Franco-
Prussian War, commanding a battery of artillery at the age of eighteen; he has
been Governor of Madagascar and has seen extensive service in Africa;
he is a scientific soldier of high attainments, and is also a notable fighter

TRAINING GERMAN RED CROSS NURSES TO PREPARE FOOD FOR THE WOUNDED
The horrors of the wars which have devastated the Continent in other centuries are, it is to be hoped, to be mitigated to a large extent in the present conflict by the labors of the
Red Cross Societies of many nations. Women are probably participating in this war as organized helpers of the suffering in greater numbers than ever before in histor,