The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-06-23
BELGIUM SHALL Be FREED.
PRESIDENT WILSON MAKES SOL.
EMN DECLARATION TO MIS-.
SION FROM DEVASTAT.
ED COUNTRY.
Head OF Mission Expresses Gratitudc
o' 'eigi"hs for Americas Relic,
Work-A Tribute to Patriotism.


washington, June 1S.-In greeting
Belgium's war mission TODAY. presi-
dent Wilson expressed Americas so,
emn determination that on the inevi-
table day of victory Belgium shall he
restored to the place she has so richly
won among the self-respecting and
respected nations of the earth. The
commissioners spent their first dav in
Washington paying official calls. Sec.
retary Lansing accompanied them to
the White House, where Baron Mon
cheur. head OF the mission, handed
to President Wilson personal letter
from King Albert, and expressed in 4.
short address Belgium's gratitude for
Americas aid.
Since the first days of the greatest
tragedy which has ever befallen hu.
manity," said the baron, Belgium has
contracted an immense debt of graf
itude to the generous American nation.
In magnificent outburst of sympathy
for the little country which had
chosen to delay powerful and pitiloss
enemy rather than to tarnish it's hon
or or forswear it's plighted word the
initiative Of American citizens gave to
the unfortunate victims Of German
cruelty in Belgium the most splendid
evidences Of generosity.
But the chivalrOus sentiments
which animate the people OF the Unit =
ed States went further than this when
President Wilson. giving an admirable
example of disintersted power. ut
tered the words we'll fitted to make us
tremble with hope and cause us TO
fix our eyes confidently upon the
starry banner which has become more
than ever the symbol Of strength
placed at the service Of the highest
and most pure principles.
Leaning upon the young, strong
and generous hand which the Ameri-
can people hold out to her. Belgium,
once she is delivered from the oppres-
sion of the enemy, will arise and
throwing aside the odious weight of
foreign occupation will, courgeously
and proudly, resume the path Of pro-
gress in the light of the sun Of lib
erty."
President Wilson, thanking Baron
MOncheur and through him King AL
| bert. said in reply.
Your excellency is good enough to
express the thanks Of the Belgian peo-
pie for the participation of America
I'm feeding the people Of your stricken
| country. This work, in which so many
Americans have been enthusiastically
engaged since the beginning of the
war. is one which has brought as much
benefit to them as to the innocent civ
ilian population whom it was intended
to aid. -
America engaged upon this work
as having the only means, however,
inadequate Of expressing our deep,
sincere admiration for the valiant ma
ton that had gone forth unhcsitating-
ly to meet the onslaught Of a ruthless
enemy rather than sacrifice her honor
and her self-respect.
THE American people have been
able to understand and glory in the
unflinching herOism of the Belgian
people and their sovereign and there
Is not one American among us who
does not today welcome the opportun-
ity Of expressing to you our heartfelt
sympathy and friendship and on
solemn determination that on the in
evitable day of victory Belgium shall
be restored to a place she has so rich
ly won among the self-respecting and
respected nations Of the earth"
Tonight the visitors were entertain
cd at formal White House dinner.
ARMY DOCTOR ARRESTED.