The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-20
BELGIAN PEOPLE SHOW FINE APPRECIATION OF AMERICA
Fly PHILIP H. PATCHIN

Liege there is an Avenue Sperry, aft CT one of the Americans who superin- tended the distribution of food in that district
 In hundreds of ways do the people make those who are working amongst them feel that their efforts are appreciated. This is done in its greatest measure when some worker is about to depart, as many of them, after months of labor have had to do. in order to look after their own affairs. Again, many college students from America who have been employed in Belgium have had to return to their books, either at Oxford or Cambridge or in the United States. The announced de- parture of one of these c. R. B. men causes a commotion in the district where he has been engaged. The good-hearted people arrange for 8 proper farewell. There are luncheons and dinners. speeches and farewell prayers. Nothing is left un- done to make the departing one know beyond all doubt that his work has not passed unnoticed. The municipal fathers get together. Sometimes a watch is pur- chased and formally presented; some of these have been most beautiful. Then there are cigarette cases, medals of bronze, commemorating the work that has been done. And illuminated addresses, done on parchment-of these there are always a few, extolling the work of the individual, praising to the highest the country across the water whence he came These are the finer, intrinsical- ly, things. The finer still, in another way, are the offerings of the poor-bits of embroidery or lace, sometimes atro- cious things artistically, perhaps, but all the more valued and valuable because of it.
 Lately the Belgians have struck upon a new idea of showing their apprecia- af16S sJ. r,f alrrs of flour have been sent into the country from America, from Canada, from all parts of the earth, except that lying im- medfately eastward. The sacks have been found useful. They have been made into underclothes for the children, but now some are being turned to more pie turesque use. Belgium is a nation of artistry, painters, embroiderers, and lace workers. These have now taken these flour sacks and made use of them to set forth expectations of their gratitude Scores are pouring into the head offices Of the relief commission in London. Some times the brands of the American milIers are embroidered with silk, in brilliant blues, greens and reds. Often 8 genuine artist sets to work, making the poor texture of the sacking his canvas, and there with his brush interprets the feel lngs of his people. Many, most in fact, have little artistic merit, which doesn't Aue1t lSI III Lue ledSCt put others have de- cided class
 Quite recently MT. Hoover chairman of the commission, received a beautiful mod el of a small sailing vessel, with sails of silk and with decks laden with small silk sacks, labeled flour" The ship flew the American flag. And there was an enor- nous wooden shoe, useful as a jardiniere. patterned after the sabot of the peasant It came from some commune in Belgium and was genuinely a work of art, with painted scenes and with scallops and bead ing Of brass. One scene depicted a Bel glan family standing on the seashore, with two children dancing their delight at the approach of two steamers from the setting sun which formed the back ground for a shadowy Statue of Liberty.
 A sort Of museum has been started for all these things at the commission head quarters here. Amongst many other things are several volumes each contain ing illuminated memorials of thanks and gratitude, or perhaps some painting, etch ing or other work of the artist Some of these things are most beautiful Each mall from Belgium also brings hundreds of postcards, all from school children in Belgium. Each contains some expression of sentiment written in child-like charac- ters. The children often attempt to do the thing in English and their effort Is frequently sadly amusing. It is noticed that almost invariably the postcards hear the picture of King Albert or of his Queen.