New-York tribune., 1914-12-24
RELGIAN KING THANKS
AMERICA FOR FOOD GIFT

was visiting my wife n short time ago
When the party was taken 20 the sec
ond line Of trenches big German
shell fell nearby. and il did not make
our guests feel comfortable.
When the correspondent inquired as
to the Kings own safety, King Albert
smilingly replied: "We must i've
under shell fire here"
Later inspection shows this remark
10 be literally true. as scarcely square
mile OF Belgium left under the rule OF
her King is free from the danger OF
she'll FIRE.
Whitlock and Gibson Praised.
King Albert repeated his expressions
Of apprcciation Of American relief Tor
his people as the correspondent was
about TO leave, especially singing out
Brand Whitlock, the American Minister
TO Belgium, and Hugh S. Gibson, secre-
tary of the legation, for their ehorts
in Belgium'3 behalf. He declared thst
Mr.. Whitlock had done splendid WORK
i'm Brussels as the mediator between
the Belgian people. and their con
querors and expressed the hope that
Mr. Whitlock would remain at his post
until the end OF the war.
ana nUutttkdill AlAoN -AAF
lock came TO Brussels for a rest re-
marked the King with a dry smile.
King Albert expressed particularly
warm admiration for Mr.. Gibson, who,
he declared. had delivered some dlplo-
matte messages TO him under severe
fire. He was averse TO discussing the
ruin which has overwhelmed the coun-
try, saying simply:
you will know something Of 1t
yourself tomorrow when you see our
destroyed towns"
your majesty, it has been predicted
that YOU will re-enter your capital
within three months?" the correspond
cnt said
The King shook his head sadly, say
ing: .,
mot so soon. but some day shall
ride into Brussels at the head Of the
Belgian army
Bidding the correspondent good
night with a warm handshake, the King
ended the interview.
King Commander in Fact.
King Albert is the commander Of his
army in fact as well as in name. It's
reorganization into a compact fighting
force of less than half of its former
size. but infinitely superior in sheer
efficiency, is due particularly to the
Kings work and inspiration. He has
surrounded himself with young and
enthusiastic officers who already are
veterans in experience, and this new
personnel works with the utmost har-
mony.
The Kings chief support is Queen
Elizabeth, who lives only few miles
away, at a place also on Belgian soil,
where she has complete charge Of one
of the largest military hospitals. No
other women except trained nurses are
permitted to approach the Belgian
lines. Even the wives Of the highest
officers are not allowed to pay brief
visits 10 their husbands.
King Albert is living as simply as
any subaltern Of his staff. In the en-
trance to the town hall is a rickety
army cot on which he seeks short maps
when occasionally the Germans relax
their efforts to smash the thin Belgian
line. When a few leisure hours permit
the King and the Queen meet, but they
are living virtually under campaign
conditions. The Queen is the patron
saint Of the Belgian wounded, who pre-
fer her hospital to any of the ones
located on safer bases. The Queen o.
casionally goes to England to see her
children, but lately she has devoted
virtually her every waking moment to
her hospitals.
Neither the King nor the Queen has
the usual personal suite present. King
Albert's aids are working staff officers
who serve 25-hour watches, while the
Queens adies-in-waiting are trained
nurses serving on her hospital staff.