Eugène Beyens

Baron Eugène Henri Léonard Beyens (Brussels, 12 November 1816 - Presles, 17 July 1894) was a Belgian diplomat.

Quotes

 * Van Praet and Devaux were not concerned with the Congo. They both expressed a desire to be kept out of the "African adventure." For Mr. Van Praet, laden with years and involved for half a century in the history of the dynasty, this abstention was natural. As for his nephew, he had not concealed from the King, with his usual frankness, the disappointments and the dangers he faced. The prevailing opinion at court was that the founding of a colony was beyond the strength of the Sovereign of a small country and that he would encompass his private fortune, without being able to create anything lasting. ... He (Leopold II) did not try to overcome Mr. Devaux's disbelief and did without his services.
 * All the King's Men' A search for the colonial ideas of some advisers and "accomplices" of Leopold II (1853-1892). (Hannes Vanhauwaert), 4. Viceroys without colonial aspirations? Jules I en Jules II During the reign of Leopold II, Van Praet delved completely into his historical books and kept aloof from the colonial adventures of the monarch. Baron Eugène Henri Léonard Beyens “Souvenirs sur Leopold II and the court of Belgium.” In: General Review. I: May 15, 1934, 545.

Quotes about Eugène Beyens

 * Beyens for Tonkin, certainly did not encourage him, he just obeyed.
 * 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, Eugène père Beyens (1816-1894) Jean Stengers, who for the time being was the only one who examined father Beyens's papers in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for his colonial ideas, concluded that the ambassador mainly played a passive role. STENGERS, J. “Léopold II entre l’Extrême-Orient et l’Afrique”, 349.


 * Did he believe in Tonkin, and in the advantages it could offer for Belgium? It is permissible to doubt it, and even to believe the contrary.
 * 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, Eugène père Beyens (1816-1894) Stengers doubted whether father Beyens actually agreed with Leopold II's Tonkin plans. STENGERS, J. “Léopold II entre l’Extrême-Orient et l’Afrique”, 349.