Omaha daily bee., 1917-06-23
BELGIAN MISSION
BEFORE u. s. SENATE
Baron Moncheur Tells Legis-
lators of Conditions in Coun-
try and Thanks America
for Interest.

W dSnlnStOn, june EE.-I lie DelSldl
mission was received today in the
senate chamber with great demon.
stration. An address by Baron Mon.
cheur head OF the mission, expressing
Belgium's gratitude for Americas aid
and sympathy was punctuated with
frequent applause. Afterward all sen.
ators were introduced to members OF
the mission.
Baron Moncheur addressed the SEN
ate as follows:
You all know the unspeakable
evils which have beiallen my unfor-
tunate country-thc unprovoked in
vasion accompanied by a deliberate
system of terror, the burning Of many
OF our thriving cities, and innumerable
villages, the massacre of thousands of
our peaceful citizens, the pillage and
devastation of our country.
"Then followed the iron hand of
foreign domination, enormous war
contributions exacted from all the
nine provinces of Belgium, the seizure
of the raw material of industry and
even the theft OF Our machinery so
that now the silence of death reigns
in our industrial centers which before
had been the most active in Europe"
You also know, gentlemen, the
way in which this regime Of oppres-
sion has been carried out-80,0OO Bel
gians condemned in the space of one
year. to various penalties, for having
displcascd the invader.
Deportations Worst of All.
you have learned also OF the de-
portation of our workmen into Ger
many-a crime the horrors of which,
according to the opinion of one of
your countrymen, should cause more
indignation throughout the entire
world than all the previous outrages
against the sacred principles of JUS
tice and of humanity.
But. Belgium, even in the midst Of
the terrible misfortunes which have
been brought upon it by its fidelity
to treaties and by respect for its
plighted word, does not regret its de-
cision and there is not single Bel
gian worthy OF the name who does not
now, as OH the first day OF the war,
approve the Judgment of our govern
ment that it is better to die, if need
be, rather than to live without honor
.G 5ike a.f,Hh ~ Iieilly, an pels1ans say
oa1e aT me iioelty ol give me Gealn;
~ . ms seii.llle"t VIII DC sl.d'eu oy
a. 'ie ett'Aeilo VI tne edt n,ie
..a'L ,e.io,,' WY iGspo.!uIu ;.,I m.sn sutn
ehtIius'ds,ll anu wl'll sucn ulldlIii,lity
~ tlle nopie "olGs VI yout pleslue,li
whe,' III 'e' MS WllIl' neia tne Wollu
opon.DGu''u .gi II. p'oC,a,.;.eu tne 'ilpie-
S.lipt'OIe ,lel' ui luS''Ic oseI lotCe'
Sourase 'lr, otreiis'n 'neleu " oyil'pd.ry'
ne courage OF my 1ellow country
men mas oeen Srehe'henea also by
inc 5y',lPa'hy lot our In'Si4rtunes' fortunes
"h''n mas oeen manilesteo inrougn-
OUT yonr great laha' american M
ii7,'Vc mas bestowed most generous
he'p upon our starving people ana III
ofIcrlng from tnis tribune the express
sion oil gratitude OF every Belgian
heart Wish also to render special
homage to that admirable organlza-
ton, the. commission tor reliet III Bel
GUM, which has done so much to save
our people from starvation.
"Yes. gentlemen, the sympathy of
An,er;c, o;ves us rew eorr.o. snd
mh;Ie % k;Sg A1bert Nv who s;nc. tbe
f.tef,J dau whsn orr terr;torv w.c
violatcd ] T has remained .teadfastlv At
W. ,o'Greu iro,t ',a a,t;nmos ~ strnr1Io ;v;th
nI.t, ny i1Cnts Cot.,auea a' 'n .I sd T'.f f
lnuo'li..ap'e .nesy , .na a .La ,,ot ~
out M Amy el'lt'.Iet n;, .het ; upon .'e 'as as
sTip .. oul son soi, ',ISa .Se. etahs n.4h,, " us'
Whl!c Inc queen tldt worthy coii-