Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-06-19
WILSON PLEDGES
. BELGIAN FREEDOM
PRESIDENT TELLS MISSION U. s.
IS DETERMINED TO RESTORE
COUNTRY.
WILL BE REINsTATED
AS RESPECTED NATION
Says American People Glory in IN.
flinehins Heroism Of People and Their
sovereisn-eeIsian commissi oners
Entertained at White House at Din
ner-Distinguished Guests Present.

Washington. June 19-In greeting
Belgium's war mission President Will
son expressed Americas Solemn de-
termination that on the inevitable day
Of victory Belgium shall be restored to
the place she has so rightly won among
the self-respecting nations of the
earth"
The commissioners spent the first
day in Washington paying official calls.
Secretary Lansing accompanied them
to the white house. where Baron Mon
cheur, head of the mission, handed to
President Wilson personal letter from
King Albert and expressed in a short
address Belgium's gratitude for Amer
ica's aid.
Praises U. S. Generosity.
"Since the first days of the greatest
tragedy which has ever befallen hui
mainly" 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 chosen
TO delay a powerful and pitiless enemy
rather than to tarnish its honor or for
swear its plighted word. the initiative
of American citizens gave the unfor-
tunate victims of German cruelty in
Belgium the most splendid evidences of
generosity.
but the chivalrous sentiments
which animate the people of the United
States went further than this when
President Wilson. giving an admirable
example Of disinterested power, utter
ed the words swell fitted to make US
tremhie with hope and 10 cause us TO
fix our eyes confidently upon the star
ry banner which has become more than
the service of the highest and most pure
Still Retains Rich Soil.
Yes. Belgium will again take her
place among the nations. The enemy
brought US massacre and devastation.
but there still remains to the Belgian
people their soil made fertile by the
toll of their ancestors: there still re-
mains to Belgium an industrious popu-
lation Of uncomfortable energy.
Leaning upon the young, strong and
generous hand which the American
people holds out to her. Belgium. once
she is delivered from the oppression OF
the enemy. will arise and throwing
aside the odious weight Of foreign oc-
cuption, will courageously and proudly
resume the path of progress in the light
OF the sun Of liberty"
Wilson Makes Reply.
President Wilson, thanking Baron
Moncheur and thru him King Albert,
said in reply:
Your eXcellency is good enough TO
express the thanks of the Belgian peo-
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
benefit to them as to the innocent
civilian population whom lit was in
tended to aid
America engaged upon this work as
being the only means. however made
cuate. of expressing our deep and sim
cere admiration for the valiant nation
that had gone forth unhesitatingly to
meet the onslaughts of a ruthless en-
envy TdineT IMAM SdcTlIlCe neT uOHOI
and her self-respect.
Pledges Restoration.
THE American people have been able
to underst, nd and glory in the I'M
flinching heroism of the Belgian people
and their sovereign. and there is not
one among us who does not today well
come the opportunity Of expressing to
you our heartfelt sympathy and friend
ship and our solemn determination that
on the inevitable day Of victory Bel
GUM shall be restored to the place she
has so richly won among the self-re-
speeding and respected nations OF the
earth"
Last night the visitors were enter
tanned at formal white house dinner.
Among those present were Vice Presi-
dent Marshall. the Belgian minister,
Chief Justice White, Speaker Clark,
members of the cabinet. a number Of
leaders and high officers
Of the army and navy.