Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-22
SENATORS GREET
BELGIAN MISSION
Speech of Baron Moncheur
Received With Great En-
thusiasm by Members.
ECHOES PATRICK HENRY

: brought upon her by her fidelity to
treaties and her respect for her plight
ed word. does not regret her decision,
Baron Moncheur. chief of the Belgian
mission. told the Senate today when
he and the other members OF the mis-
sion were welcomed to the Senate
| chamber.
''It is better to die. if need be. rather
than to live without honor" continued
Baron Moncheur. Like Patrick Henry.
all Belgians say Give me liberty Or
| give me DEATH"
| Great enthusiasm greeted the mission
| and the ringing words of its chief
Wave after wave of applause swept
over the Senate and the galleries when
the mission made its appearance and
during the speech Of Baron Moncheur.
Belgium shall arise" said Vice Pres
ident Marshall in his speech welcoming
the mission. His prophecy was hailed
with enthusiasm. The long night ol
weeping shall end" said the Vice Presi-
dent. "The morning Of joy shall break
over her desolated homes"
| Cannot Gamble With Justice.
| When all is over. the Vice President
said, the world will find that when hu-
manity CANDLES with the cause of JUS.
tice the dice of the gods are always
| loaded.
'In all history no sadder. sweeter.
| sublimer story exists than the story
| of Belgium, the doer Of deeds who
has walked her lonely way leading
4, to duty. death and glory"
| The Vice President said that it had
page in the annals of diplomacy and
| to show the world that treaties are
made to be kept and not broken.
A committee of senators received the
distinguished guests and escorted then
to the Senate chamber. The committee
consisted of Senators Martin. CALM
ger. Hitchcock. Salisbury. Pomerene
Smith of Michigan, McCumber and
Borah.
| After Baron Moncheur had concluded
his speech the members of the Senate
| were presented to the members OF the
| mission by Senator Martin.
Get New Courage From U. S.
"The sympathy of America gives US
new courage" said Baron Moncheur
| land while King Albert. who since the
| fateful day when our territory was
| violated has remained steadfastly at
| the front. continues the struggle with
| indomitable energy at the head of our
army intrenched upon the last strip OF
our soil that remains to US: while the
queen. that worthy companion OF
ceasing efforts to comfort and re-
| lieve the victims of battle. excit-
| ing enthusiasm by her contempt for
| the danger to which she exposes herself
| n hU do q Mt al
| enemy's line of steel stand the Belgian
| people, bowed beneath the yoke. but
never conquered, maintaining their un-
| shaken patriotism in spite of the Sc
spite of his iron rule-the Belgian
| population. a martyr, whose courage is
upheld by our great Cardinal Mercier
| awaits silently in the sacred union OF
all parties the final hour of deliver
| ance.
i That hour. gentlemen. will. am
convinced, be materially hastened by
the powerful aid of the United States,
| md the time approaches when Belgium.
restored to full and complete independ-
ence. both politically and economically
will be able to thank in a fitting man.
ner all those who have aided her to
emerge from the darkness of the tomb
into the glorious light of new life.
I Cites Unspeakable Evils.
You all know the unspeakable evils
which have befallen my unfortunate
coun;ry-thc unprovoked invasion ac-
| companied by a deliberate system OF
terror. the burning of many Of our
| thriving cities and of innumerable viii
lagos. the massacre OF thousands OF
our peaceful citizens, the p1llage and
devastation of our country.
| Then followed the iron hand OF for
eign domination, enormous war con-
! tributions exacted from all the nine
provinces OF Belgium, ruinous requtsi-
| tions of all sorts from our people. the
| seizure Of the raw materials OF indus
| try and even the theft of our machin-
cry, which was sent into the country
| of our enemy for his own use, 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 oppression has
been carried out-S0.00O Belgians con-
| demned. in the space OF one year, to
various penalties for having displeased
/ the invader: as. for example, the noble
| burgonlaster Of Brussels, who has been in
for trying to uphold the principle OF
civic liberty which for centuries has
been SO dear TO all Belgians.
| 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 in
dignation throughout the entire world
! than all the previous outrages against
j the sacred principles OF justice, and
| Of humanity
! Does Not Regret Decision.
But Belgium. even in the midst OF
the terrible misfortunes which have
been brought upon her by her fidelity
to treaties and by respect for her
i plighted word. does not regret her de-
Il gian worthy of the name who does not
now as on the first day of war. ap-
prove the judgment of our govern
I ment that il is better to die. II need be
rather than to live without honor Like
Patrick Henry. all Belgians say: Give
me liberty or give me death
This sentiment will be shared by al
the citizens of the great American ma
ton who responded with such enthu
noble words OF your President when. IL
terms which held the world spellbount
he proclaimed the imprescriptible righ
of justice over force.
THE courage of my fellow country
men has been strengthened, also. by tn,
| sympathy for our misfortunes which
has been manifested throughout you
great land. American initiative ha.
bestowed most generous help upon oui
/ starving population, and. in offerins
from this tribune the expression O.
gratitude of every Belgian heart,
wish also to render special homage t.
that admirable organization, the com
mission for relief in Belgium, which
has done so much to save our peopl,
from starvation"
T., Many of the senators stopped to con
Hui ho mo hor r,f . =,