Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-11-06
BELGIAN MINISTER'S
NATION WILL REGAIN
Former Ambassador to Berlin.
Talks of Breach With Ger
many and Later Troubles
rRr Associated Pressl

minister GEfDreign affairs Of Belgium,
in the coeFse Or an authorized inter
view Given9Qlhe Associated Press.
Baron BeIsHs is one of the notable
figures OF tie present war. for up to
the beginning gof the war he was the
Belgian minister at Berlin and went
through the crisis eliminating in the
first blow at Belgium and the i'm
mediate entry of England. France and
all Europe into the seething struggle.
Then. leaving Berlin. he entered the
Belgian cabinet and has since directed
the foreign affairs of the country,
finding time also 10 write a book which
graphically describes the week OF
tragedy" at the German capital when
the British and French ambassadors
and himself made their last attempt
TO prevent the European conflict
The ministry of foreign affairs,
where Baron Beyens was seen, is in
stalled at Ste Adresse, suburb OF
Havre, in the Villa Hollandais. rustic
chalet occupied in ordinary times by
seashore visitors, but now bearing on
the outer gate small placard read
ing: "Ministere des Affaires Estran-
h2ClcS -ut DtlSlquC. -
usually suggests marble halls and big
diplomatic rooms with ambassadors
sitting among oil paintings and ma
hogany furnishings. But the Villa
Hollandais has nothing of this kind.
Three small pine structures have been
put up I'm the garden for various diplo-
matte and consular branches. Inside
the villa there is the simplicity Of
summer cottage, but everything is
scrupulously we'll done and effective,
First Expresses Gratitude
Baron Beyens expressed at the out
set the deep sense of appreciation felt
by Belgium toward the people of the
United States, and. in particular. to-
ward those who had directed the work
Of sending food-supplies to Belgium.
Il am always glad to meet an
American" said he, and to express
my gratitude to your people in gen.
eral and to those who have literally
saved our people from starvation. 1t is
difficult for me to say how much we
feel indebted to Mr.. Hoover. head of
the committee directing the relief
work in Belgium. He has proved him
self a man of great resources and
great ability. in the gigantic task of
providing for whole nation which
found Itself suddenly threatened with
starvation or at least with cruel priva-
tion. II was task, moreover, requir-
ing much diplomatic tact as well as
business knowledge, for the relief
committee was obliged to deal be-
tween the German officials on the
nd hn i0I 0ff oil on
the other. But all this has been ac-
complished with infinite skill; OBJ
stacles which seemed at times insur
mountable have been overcome, and
practical results have been realized
which are Of the highest importance
to Belgium and the Belgian people.
The American minister at Brus
sells, Mr. Brand Whitlock. has also
won our unbounded admiration and re-
spect in performing a work of colossal
magnitude under most trying condi-
tons. Remaining at Brussels while
the government was constrained by
circumstances to establish itself tenn
porarily outside of Belgium. the Amer
lean minister has been, with his cpur-
ageous Spanish colleague, the bull
wark between our citizens remaining
in the invaded regions, and the Ger
man military and civil authorities tenn
porarily in control. Outside OF the
horrors and atrocities Of war which
have been committed. the ordinary
administration of civil affairs has
been carried out with an iron hand and
with rigorous harshness In all this
Minister Whitlock has stood between
our people and the rigors of the Ger
man military administration, and such
leniency as we have received has
come largely through his energetic
and discreet intervention
But" added the minister, 'the
names of Americans who have shown
this goodwill toward Belgium in very
practical ways is almost unlimited
Dr. Watson of the American church
at Paris, and Mrs Watson, Mr.. Bliss,
the American charge d'affaires at
Paris. and his wife, Mrs Wharton. the
we'll known American writer, and
many, very many. others. To all of
them Belgium is deeply thankful"
Turning now to international af-
fairs, in which he had taken such
an active part at the debut of the
war, Baron Beyens went on
IVES Minister to Berlin
We had every reason 70 remain at
Deace with Germany Belgium had no
hostility TO Germany. We had many
Germans among us. as you have in
America, and many of our people
smoke the German language A spirit
of seod-feeling and of confidence pre-
vailed, so far as we were concerned.
have reason to know this as l was
minister at Berlin up to the opening
OF the war, and had opportunity to
observe the mutual relations existing
Germany has sought to spread the
legend that Belgium had a secret
! treaty with England relating to Ant
werp. But that is false There is no
such treaty, and never was such a
treaty. Certainly if such a document
existed ! would know of it, and af-
firm to you. on my honor. that it does
net exist. No, the legend of the sec