Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-12-24
KING ALBERT SENDS THANKS.
Grateful ID American People Fe,
American Relief Msasurss.


American ReIisf Msasurss.
Grand Headquarters OF the King Of
the Belgians. invest Flanders. Bel
Dec. 18-In the council chamber Of m
ancient F1enish town hall from which
he 10 directing. under German shell flfe.
the resistance Of his war-worn little
army blocking the road to Dunkirk and
Calais, King Albert of the Belgians to-
day told the Associated Press Of the
stand his soldiers are making against
the German invaders. The kings head
quarters is located on one Of the re-
naming dry areas Of that small COR
ner OF Belgium left under his rule.
King Albert also requested the AS
>sociated Press to convey to the people
of the United States his deep graft
tude for their effort to feed his sub
jects now under German military rule.
Alone With Correspondent.
The monarch was alone when the
correspondent was admitted to the
council chamber. not even an aide
being present. The kings tall. an
gular. Lincoln-like form was clothed
in the simple .undress uniform Of a
general Of artillery. which was With.
out insignia, beyond braided shoulder
straps. to distinguish him from a STAFF
officer.
Physically King Albert looks hard
ened. but lines OF care show in his
otherwise youthful face. In manner
he Is decidedly shy and he apologized
for his English which, however, was
very fluent. The light from smoky
oil lamp barely penetrated the -re-
cesses OF the great beamed hall. from
the walls OF which empty picture
frames stared down.
When the king saw the ewes ~ ff,a
correspondent fixed. on these blank
spaces where few months ago inyal-
liable Flemish canvass hung he smiled
and said he no longer expected the
Germans to even be in a position 10
take the f-ames.
Praises His Troops.
Modestly he praised the courage
OF his soldiers. speaking of them
with great Kindness as tho he were
talking about his own children.
Il believe" he said, "my army II
courageous. Ny people, however.
are too democratic for the same disci-
pline that prevails in the conscript
European armies. You win see some
thing Of the bravery OF my people when
tomorrow you shall have the chance to
witness the peasants working in their
fields under shell fire, concerned only
for the losses Of their homes, the de-
struction Of which causes them great
grief"
When Edgar sengeer, Belgian At
tache to the American commission
for the relief of Belgium, presented
King Albert with a report from the
commission showing that enough
food was in sight to feed his people un-
til Feb. -. the king turned quickly to
the correspondent, saying:
u Deeply Grateful.
''Will you be kind enough to con.
vey to the American people my deep
gratitude"
He then wrote in English the fol-
lowing message:
THE magnificent generosity Of the
American people In forwardinE i'm.
mense quantities OF foodstuffs to my
suffering people affords me intense
satisfaction and touches me very
deeply.
I'm this, my country's hour OF trial,
nothing has supported me more than
the sympathy and the superb generos-
|ity Of those who haye assisted in ma
terially lessening the same; and / de.
sire to offer my deepest thanks and ct
the same time TO convey q message Of
good win for the new year:
ALBERT,
King Of the Belgians.s