Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1917-06-21
TRIBUTE PAID TO
BELGIAN PEAPLE
Assured High Place Among Respect
ed Nations When War Mission
Members Visit White


House
In greeting the Belgian war mis-
sion at Washington last Monday,
President Wilson expressed Amer
ica's solemn determination that on
the inevitable day of victory, Bel
GUM will be restored to the place she
has so richly won among the self
respecting and respected nations of
the world.
The commissioners spent the first
day in Washington paying official
calls. Secretary Lansing accompan-
led them to the White House, where
Baron Moncheur, head of the mis-
sion, handed to President Wilson a
personal letter from King Albert,
and expressed in a short address Bel.
GUMS gratitude for Americas aid
Since the first days of the great
est tragedy that has ever befallen
humanity" said the baron, Belgium
has contracted an immense debt of
gratitude to the generous American
nation. In a magnificent outburst
of sympathy for the little country
which had chosen to delay a power
full and pitiless enemy rather than to
tarnish its honor or ~forswear its
plighted word, the initiative of
American citizens gave to the unfor-
tunate victims of German cruelty in
Belgium the most splendid evidence
of generosity.
Flag Symbol of Strength
But the chivalrous sentiments
which animate the people of the
United States when President Wilson.
giving an admirable example of dis
| Interested N 70 dc
well fitted to make us tremble with
hope and to cause us to fix our eyes
constantly upon the starry banner
which has become more than ever the
symbol of strength placed at the SER
vice of the highest and most pure
principles.
Leaning upon the young, strong
and generous hand which the Amer
lean people hold out to her, Belgium,
once she is delivered from the oppres-
sion of the enemy, will arise and
throwing aside the odious weight of
foreign occupation, will couragcously
and proudly resume the path of pro-
gress in the light of the sun of lib
erty."
President Makes Promise
President Wilson, thanking Baron
Moncheur and through him King AL
bert, said in reply.
Your ercellency is good enough tb
express the thanks of the Belgian
people for the participation of Amer
lea 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 popula-
ton whom it was intended to aid.
/. America engaged uptD this work
as being the only means, however
inadequate, of expressing our deep
and sincere admiration for the al
liant nation that had gone forth un-
hesitatingly to meet the onslaughts
OF a ruthless enemy rather than sac
rifice her honor and self respect.
THE American people have been
able to understand and glory in the
unflinching heroism of the Belgian
people and their sovereign, and there
is not one among us today who does
not welcome the opportunity of ex-
pressing to you our heartfelt SYM
pathy and friendship, and our SOL
emn determination that upon the in
evitable day of victory, Belgium will
be restored to the place she has so
richly won among the self respecting
and respected nations of the earth ~