Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-27
OF BELGIUM
ARE HOUSES GUESTS
Baron Moncheur Tells of Graft
tude and Admiration Felt
Toward America.
GIVEN A GREAT OVATION

Crowded galleries and large attend
ance of members on the floor welcomed
the visit of the Belgian war mission to
the House of Representatives at l
O'Clock today. The visitors were given
an ovation as they took their places be-
side Speaker Clark on the rostrum, the
members rising and the galleries ap-
plauding.
They were Baron Moncheur. Gen. Le-
clerca, NJ de Cartier de Marchienne. the
Belgian minister; NJ. Hector Cartier
counselor Of the mission; Maj. Osterith
Count Louis dUrsel and Jean Mertens
secretary of the mission. Accompany
ing the visitors were Assistant Secre-
tary of State Breckenridge Long and
Hugh Gibson Of the State Department
Speaker Clark introduced Baron Mon
cheur the head of the mission, to the
House, and again the members rose In
their seats and cheered and applauded.
Speaker Clark said that from time i'm.
memorial Belgium had been known as the
been fought upon her territory than any
other like acreage of land in the civilized
world, Caesar. in his commentaries. had
said that of all the Gallo tribes the Bel
eians were the bravest. Events OF tho
past three years had verified the praise OF
the great Roman imperator. he said.
After being introduced to the House,
Baron Moncheur spoke, in part. as fol-
lows:
His Admiration Increased.
"If years ago ! admired your country
in the fullness Of prosperity and won
dered at your Industrial genius and the
marvellous activity of your citizens. it
is with even greater admiration that I
now see your entire nation rise as one
man to answer the voice Of your Presi-
dent calling upon you to put forth all
your efforts and devotion for the de-
fense of freedom and the rights of man
kind, All the sons of America. without
distinction of race or of party, have
their duty to their country. They are
ever ready to sacrifice their private and
personal interests and. leaving behind
them their dear ones. who will be
plunged in grief and tears on account
Of their absence. they rally to the Star
Spangled Banner which for the first
time in your history has crossed the
ocean to float over the battlefelds of
the old world.
Like Knights Of Old.
LAS In the middle ages the knights
watching their armor in the chapel. so
Won today are making that same holy
and prayerful preparation for the battle
to come. Everywhere you are carrying
nearer the moment Of supreme victory.
While the flower Of American youth is
nreparing itself in your splendid train
ing camps. your ship yards. your facto-
rfes and your munition plants resound
with the hum of feverish work provid-
ing your soldiers with the implements
american aviation. that marvellous
product of the new world. is making
ready to lend its powerful aid, also. to
taa @ 4 n n
indeed, that the American eagle: should
from the skies strike the death blow
to the enemy?
after your great stroke for liberty in
1776 YOU formed a society which you called
the Order Of the Cincinnati to indicate
that when war was finished you knew how
to beat your swords into plowshares; and
now, when war has been forced upon
you you have given proof that you know
equally well how to turn your plowshares
into swords.
Albert Visited America.
"some twenty years ago Prince Albert
of Belgium. heir to throne which seemed
to be safely sheltered from the blast of
war. came to America. where he studied
country and the wonderful works OF
Industry and commerce which you
had developed in the quietude of
press' press the @ sentiments which fiji his
heroic soul when. fighting at the
head of his troops in the last trench on
Beleian soil. he sees the sons Of that
same Industrious America land upon
the coast of Europe, brave champions
Of the most noble principles and ready
TO lay down their lives in defense OF
right and Justice
"On a certain occasion a mighty SOW
ereign declared the Pyrenees exist no
more and today we can say with even
more truth there is no longer any
ocean, for endless friendship, cemented
by gratitude and joint effort and suffer-
ing in the cause of justice and liberty,
will forever obliterate the barrier Of
the seas and unite the children of old
pel9ium to the sons Of the Young