Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-19
I eHsW ar MissionHsC Coun.
try Has Richly Won
High Place Among
Nations.
tRy Associated Prcss.l


WASHINGTON. June lS-In greet
President Wilson expressed Americas 9
solemn determination that on the in
| eritable day Of victory, Belgium shall
be restored to the place she has 81
richly won among the seit-respecting
and respected nations of the earth"
The commissioners spent their first
day in Washington paying official calls
Secretary Lansing accompanied them
to the White House. where Baron
Moncheur. head of the mission, handed
to President Wilson "A personal letter
! from King Albert. and expressed in :,
short address Belgium's gratitude for
Americas aid
Since the first days of the greatest
tragedy which has ever befallcn hu-
manity." said the baron. Belgium has
contracted an immense debt Of graft
tude to the generous American nation.
In a magnificent outburst of sympathy
for the little country which had xhoscn
to delay a powerful and pitilcsS enemy
rather than to tarnish its honor or
forswear its pliEhtcd word. the initia-
tive of American citizens gave TO tho
unfortunate victims of German cruelty
in Belgium the most splendid evidences
of generosity.
FIN EYES CONFIDENTLY
UPON THE STARRY BANNER
But the chivalrous sentiments which
| animate the people of the United states
went further than this when President
Wilson. giving an admirable example
of disintercstcd power. uttered the
words we'll fitted TO make us tremble
with hope. and to cause us to fix our
eyes confidently upon tho starry ban
ncr which has become more than ever
the symbol OF strength placed at the
service of the highest and most pure
principles.
Yes, Belgium will again take her
place among the nations The enemy
brought us massacre and devastation,
but there stlll remains to the Belgian
people their soil made fertile by the
toll of their ancestors: there still re-
mains 10 Belgium an Industrious popu-
lation of uncomfortable energy.
Leaning upon the young strong
and generous hand whict the American
people holds out to her. Belgium. once
she is delivered from the oppression
of the enemy, will arise and. throwing
X
cupation. will courageously and proud
ly resume the path OF progress in the
light of the sun of liberty"
President Wilson. thanking Baron
Moncheur and through him King AL
bert. said in reply:
Your EXcellency Is good enough m
express the thanks of the Belgian pco-
pie for the participation OF America
in 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 OF
bcneht TO them as to the innocent
civilian population whom II was in
tended to aid
ONLY MEANS OF EXpRESSySc
SINCERE ADMINISTRATIVE
America engaged upon this work as
being the only means, however made
duate' OF expressing our deep and sin
cere admiration for the valiant nation
'hat had gone forth unhcsitatingIy TO
meet the onslaughts of ruthless
enemy. rather than sacrifice her honor
ana her sclf-respcct.
The American people have hcen ahlc
to understand and glory in the un-
hinching hcroism Of the Belgian people
and their sovereign. and there is not
one among us who does not to-day
welcome tho opportunity of expressing
TO you our heartfelt sympathy and
friendship and our solemn determine
ton that on tho inevitable day Of vic
tory Belgium shall he restored to the
place she has so richly won among the
self-respecting and respected nations Of
the Garth"
Tonight tho visitors were enter
tanned at n formal White House dinner.
The diners included Vice President
Marshall. the Bclsian minister. Chief
Justice White. Speaker Clark. members
OF tho Cabinet, a number of congros-