Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1914-12-24
KING ALBERT GIVES
PRAISE TO AMERICA
Thanks U. S. for Aiding Bel
gians--Hopes to Enter
Brussels.
By the Associated Prsss.

BY the Associated Press.
GRAND HEADQUARTERS OF
THE KING OF THE BELGIANS IN
WEST FLANDERS. BELGIUM, Sun
day, Dec 20 (via London, Dec. 24l.
In the council chamber of an
ancient Flemish town hall King
Albert of the Belgians today told of
the stand bis soldiers are making
against the German invaders. The
kings headquarters are located on
one of the remaining dry areas of
that small corner of Belgium left
under his rule.
Physically, King Albert looks har-
dened. 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. Modestly the king
praised the courage Of the soldiers,
speaking Of them with great kindh-
ness--as though talking about his own
children.
"I believe" he said, my army is
courageous. Ny people, however, are
too democratic for the same discipline
that prevails in the conserfpt Euro
pean armies. You win see something
of the bravery Of my people when to-
morrow you shall have chance to
witness the peasants working in their
fields under shell fire. concerned only
for the losses of their homes, the
destruction of which causes them
great grief"
When Edgar senger, Belgian at
tache TO the American Commission
for the Relief OF Belgium, entered and
presented King Albert with report
from the commission showing that
enough food was in sight to feed his
people until FEBRUARY IL, the king
quickly turned to the correspondent,
saying: ''Will you be Kind enough to
convey 10 the American people my
deep gratitude"
He then wrote in English the fol-
lowing message:
"The magnificent generosity of the
American people in forwarding inn
mense quantities of gifts of food
stuffs to my suffering people affords
me intense satisfaction and touches
me very deeply.
>
trial, nothing has supported me more
than the sympathy and the superb
generosity of those who have assisted
i'm materially lessening the same; and
I desire 20 offer my deepest thanks
and at the same time convey q mes
sage of good will for the New Year.
(Signed) ALBERT.
King OF the Belgians."
''Your majesty, it has been pre-
dicted that you will re-enter your
capital within three months" the cor
respondent said.
The king shook his head sadly.
Not so soon,' he said. But some
day ] shall ride into Brussels at the
head of the Belgian army" and the
interview was at an end.
King Albert is the commander Of
his army in fact as well as In name.
It's reorgan'za tioH into compact
fighting force OF less than half OF its
former size but infinitely superior in
sheer efficiency, is due principally 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
harmony.
King Albert, in his expressions Of
appreciation of American relief, espe-
cially mentioned Brand Whitloci,
American minister to Belgium, and
Hugh s. Gibson, secretary of lega-
tion. He said Mr.. Whitlock had done
splendid work in Brussels as the
mediator between the Belgian people
and their conquerors, and expressed
the hope that Mr.. Whitlock would
remain at his post until tho end OF
the war.