We have already mentioned Great Britain’s interventions in order to preserve the neutrality of Belgium. But the Belgians themselves took their part in the defense of that neutrality. On hearing of the declaration of war, the Belgian government ordered general mobilization of the army and sent troops to the frontiers, in order to prevent any attempt by the belligerents to use the territory. On September 1, 1870, great danger arose: the French, defeated at Sedan, seemed resolved to try to escape capitulation by seeking a refuge and continuing the fight on Belgian soil. But this event did not happen and the Belgian army preserved the frontiers of the country untouched. When peace returned, Leopold II interested himself in science and created, in 1874, the “Prix du Roi” for scientific research, hoping thereby, as he said himself, to stimulate the enterprises of the Belgian scientists and to have the world devote its attention to Belgian life and interests. In 1876 the King took advantage of the Congress for Eugenics held in Brussels for promoting interest in the social welfare of the poorer classes and for urging the construction of cheap houses for workmen. On September 12, 1876, a great event took place. The King presided at the Brussels Geographical Conference, where representatives of the various European countries assembled. Out of this conference grew the _Association internationale africaine_, which undertook the exploration of the Congo and the fight against the slave-drivers in Africa. As a consequence of all this, in February, 1888, the International Conference of Berlin took place, which created the Independent Congo State, with the king of the Belgians as sovereign. This state, by the will of the King, the consent of the powers, and the vote of the Belgian Parliament, became a Belgian colony in 1908. Another great task of the King’s life, was the defense of the country. Leopold always proclaimed his faith in the treaties of 1839, but he never neglected to advocate the reinforcement of the army and the construction of fortresses, in order to repel any possible invasion. In 1885, when international peace seemed to be in danger, the King, after a vigorous campaign, obtained a vote from Parliament, resolving to erect the fortresses of the Meuse--the forts at Liège and Namur, which, in 1914, stopped for some time the German advance. Things did not always go smoothly, and the King became very unpopular with many people, who, absolutely confident in the treaties of 1839, termed the King’s enterprise as “militarism.” Leopold once taunted a member of the Belgian Parliament, who was opposed to the contemplated fortification, saying: “Never go out without an umbrella, Sir!”