New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-22

weeks the American people, through
President Wilson and our national gov
eminent, through the local government
o. each community that has been privl-
legged to receive you and through spon-
taneOus individual expression, have
testified TO the deep seated universal
sympathy Of the freemen of this land
for your noble, gallant, courageous,
afflicted nation.
"Since the day when the wanton ag-
gressiOn of Prussian autocracy tore up
the treaty of 1889 as a scrap OF paper
across the frontier of Belgium in flag
rant violation of her neutrality, the
heart of America has gone out to your
country and your people.
I'VE have burned with righteous IN
diCnaton at the wanton and bestial
attacks of the brutal German soldiery
upon non-combatants, the innocent
men, women and children of Belgium.
We have abhorred and abominated the
uncivlized and barbarous conduct Of
Germany in enslavng Belgium by
carrying men and women into Ger
many for forced labor in the eneny's
service. We have been astounded and
outraged by the spectacle of a whole
nation crucified by the fierce Savagery
OF az inhuman invader. and we have
been inspired by the patient heroism
of your great priest and patriot, Car
dinal Mercier, who had dared to de-
nounce the barbarties Of German con-
quest in the very teeth of German
autocratic power.
"All this we have felt and still feel
for Belgium. But to-day we are bound
10 her by a closer tie. We are now
allied in a common cause. We are en-
barked in the same great undertaking.
America has entered this war in part,
il is true. in preservation. but in
part also that Belgium may have JUS
tice. Democracy can never be safe in
the world while Belgium remains har-
ried by the invader or while the mon
strous crime against her goes unpun-
ished. This war cannot end, indeed
we are pledged il shall not end, until
the Belgian people are restored to their
own territory and their national in
.egrity insured against aggression for
all time To that America. in common
with her allies, is pledged with all
hcr resources, a pledge that for the
safety of Belgium, for the safety of
Americans and Of the world. must be
redeemed by the fighting manhood Of
America on the battlefelds of Eu-
rope"
Baron Moncheur answered the Mayor
in part as follows:
"The eloquent words which ] have
heard will fiji US with confidence and
hope. We have been sent by our King
to express TO the government of the
United States and through the govern
ment to the noble American nation the
heartfelt thanks of our sovereign, OF
our government and of all our people,
our thanks for the generous aid that
has been given TO our stricken fellow
citizens and for what America is now
going to do-to win back our independ-
cnce and 70 make the world safe for
all liberty loving nations.
"You have not only given us of your
necessities, but you are now giving
your blood for our freedom. What |
express is the heartfelt gratitude of
my government and of every Belgian.
We have many things for which to
thank the people of your great metrop-
oils, Mr.. Mayor. II was there that the
first movement was started for the re-
lief of our suffering people immediate
ly after the wanton destruction OF
Louvain As the needs of our people
increased your unbounded charity and
sympathy increased with it,
Chairman Coudert's Address