Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-24

trenches, praising their good spirits.
When the correspondent expressed
desire to see the Belgian soldiers ac-
italy in the trenches, he said:
You may, but I cannot promise that
this will be without risk. Mrs. As
quith expressed the same desire while
she was visiting my wife short
time ago. When the party was TAX
en- to the second line of trenches big
German shell fell nearby, and 1t did
not make our guests feel comfort
able"
When the correspondent inquired as
to the Kings own safety, King AL
bert replied: I'VE must live under
shell fire here"
Later inspection showed this re-
mark to be literally true. as scarcely
a square mile; of Belgium left under
the rule of her King is free from the
danger of shell fire.
king Albert repeated his express
sions of American relief for his peo-
pie as the correspondent was about
to leave, especially singing out Brand
Whitlock, the American minister to
Belgium, and Hugh S. Gibson. secre-
tary OF legation, for their efforts in
Belgiums behalf. He declared that
Mr.. Whitlock had done splendid work
in Brussels as the mediator between
the Belgian people anG their conquer
ers, and expressed the hope that Mr.
WhitloclS would remain at his post
until the end of the war. And I I'M
derstand that Mr.. Whitlock came to
Brussels for a rest" remarked the
King with O. dry smile King Albert
expressed particular warm admiration
for Mr. Gibson, who, he declared, had
delivered some diplomatic messages
to him under a severe fire. He was
ayersc to discussing the ruin which
has overwhelmed the country saying
simply:
"You will know something OF 1t your
self tomorrow, when you see our de-
stroyed towns"
"Your Majesty, 1t has been predicted
that you win re-enter your capital witnin
three months" the correspondent SAID.
The King shook his head sadly. saying:
mot so soon: but some day shall r1oe
into Brussels at the head of the Belgian
army"
Bidding the correspondent good night
with a warm handshake, the King endeo
the interview.
King Albert is the commander OF his
army in fact as well as in name lts
organization into a compact Hghtins
force of less than half Of it's former size'
but infinitely superior efficiency, is due
principally to the Kings work and In
SEPARATION. He has surrounded himself
with young and enthusiastic officers who
already are veterans in experience, and
this new personnel works with the ut
most harmony.
The Kings chief support is Queen Eliz-
abeth, who lives only a few miles away
at a place also on Belgian soil where
she had complete charge of one OF the
largest military hospitals. No other wo-
man except trained nurses are permitted
to approach the Belgian line. Even the
wives OF the highest officers are not al
lowed to pay brief visits to their hus-
bands.
King Albert is living as simply as any
subaltern on his staff. In the entrance
to the town hall is rickety army cot
on which he seeks short maps when oc-
casionally the Germans relax their eff
forts 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 condi-
lions. The Queen ID the patron saint Of
the Belgian wounded, who prefer her
hospital to any Of the hospitals located
on safer base. The Queen occasional
ly goes to England to see her children,
but lately she has devoted virtually her