The King was very ignorant… he lacked education. ... He was ignorant of geography, the teachings of history and the science of international law

All the King's Men' A search for the colonial ideas of some advisers and "accomplices" of Leopold II (1853-1892). (Hannes Vanhauwaert), 8. The Short Colonial Careers of Jules Greindl, Eugène père Beyens, Eugène Napoléon Beyens and Maximilien Strauch, Maximilien Strauch (1829-1911) ROEYKENS, A. Les débuts de l'oeuvre africaine de Léopold II, o.c., 414-415. Roeykens, who never hesitated to applaud Leopold II for his colonial «genius», felt uncomfortable quoting and paraphrasing this letter. Roeykens consequently questioned Wauters' objectivity, critical spirit and serenity in harsh terms.