The Washington times., 1915-03-31
BELG|ANS EXPRESS
GRATITUDE TO j. s.
People of Ghent Send Official
Address in Beautiful Artistic
Box.

The deep feeling of gratitude Of the
Belgian people toward America, and In
particular the gratitude Of the people
Of Ghent, has been expressed in an ad-
dress from the burgomaster and mem
bers of the communal council of Ghcnt
to this Government.
It was delivered to Henry Albert
johnson, American consul at Ghent,
and a copy of 1t has reached Secretary
Bryan.
The address has come in the form of
a beautiful and artistic box In the ap-
pearance Of an antique bound volume
parchment and bound. Secretary Bryan
10 greatly pleased with it, and today
gave out communication from Consul
Johnson embodyinE description OF the
box and the artistic work inclosed in 1t
and a copy Of the address itself. Mr..
johnson says:
Address of Appreciation.
I have the honor to report that on
March 9, 1915. the burgomaster and
members Of the communal council OF
~1hent presented me with an address
has been done for Belgium by the
people OF the United States.
The burgomaster. In formally pre-,
the United States. and In compliance
with this request I have remitted 1t to
the American minister at Brussels for
transmission
Il beg to call special attention to the
beauty and artistic merit of this pro-
ducton, the decorative part of which is
the work of Mr.; Armand Helms. of
Ghent, one Of Belgium's leading artists
and specialists in this line.
THE box containing the address is
constructed so as to give the appear
ance of an antique bound volume. the
design of the cover employing in the
center a drawing of the famous bronze
dragon that surmounts the belfry Of
Ghent, and which tradition asserts was
brought by crusaders from the East at
the time when Baldwin TX of Flanders
was made Emperor of Constanttnople.
Bears Seal of Ghent.
The red seal seen at the side. is the
official seal of the city OF Client that
was used In the day of Charles v,
while below this seal is an old coin en-
twined as decorative adjunct with
the Latin motto of the city Of "Fides ct
resentation of the dagon is panel
containing the old Flemish motto Of the
city 'Hou ende Trou.' Perseverance
and Fidelity,t -,
,'Inside the book-shaped box is found
the address engrossed on parchment
and neatly bound, the first page of
which bears an exquisite design in
water colors portraying an interlacing
Of the American coat-of-arms with
those OF Belgium. Flanders, and Client.
The following is an English transla-
uon of the address:
To-day. the twenty second of Febru-
ary, 1915, anniversary of the birth of
George Washington, the Communal
Council of Ghent officially assembled.
offers to the noble American nation the
expression of its deep appreciation of
the timely aid given to Belgium In view
OF the appalling conditions now existing
in our unhappy country.
I'm providing a sufficient supply of
food for our people so severely stricken
by the war. the United States have rem
dered them Il service that will never
be forgotten.
This act of international solidarity
on the part of the American republic
will remain craven in golden characters
in the history of our country, as it is
now in the heart of every Belgian
1.-The present address is banded to the
that he will transmit it to his Govern
ment,
Done at the city hall of Ghent on
the twenty second of February, 1915.
The Burgomaster,
"'E. BRAUN.
1.-THE Secretary,
Signed: A. De Bruckcr'
1.-THE black and white ribbons with
which the box is tied represent the
ColOrs of the CITY of Ghent"