New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-19
Creets War Mission and
Receives Letter from
King Albert
Gratitude Expressed
For American Help
Baron Moncheur Declares
His Country Will Rise
Again from Ruins

Washington. June ls.-ln greeting
p,lcum's war mission to-day Presi-
ss,, Wilson expressed Americas SOL
en-, ds,ermination that on the inevita-
NJ, dsy Of victory Belgium shall be
,ss,ored 70 the place she has so richly
won among the self-respecting and re-
Yscted nations of the earth"
The commissioners sp,nt the first
ssy in Washington paying official calls.
Secretary Lansing accompanied them
70 the White House, where Baron
Noneheur, head of the mission. handed
70 President Wilson a personal letter
nom King Albert, and expressed Bel
guns gratitude for Americas aid
Since the first days of the greatest
rsgedy. which has ever befallen hu-
unity" said the baron. Belgium has
xtracted an immense debt of graft
.is 10 the generous American nation.
magnificent outburst of sympathy
sr the little country which had chosen
70 delay powerful and pitiless enemy
nther than to tarnish its honor or
icrswear its plighted word. the initia-
tive Of American citizens gave to the
Unfortunate victims of German cruelty
in Belgium the most splendid evidences
Of generosity.
Praises "Chivalrous Sentiments"
"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. uttered
the words well fitted to make US
tremble with hope and TO cause US to
tx our eyes confidently upon the starry
banner which has become more than
ever the symbol of strength placed at
the service Of the highest and purest
principles.
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 the soil made fertile by the toll
Of their ancestors; there still remains
to Belgium an industrious population
Of unconquerable energy.
Leaning upon the young, strong and
generous hand which the American peo.
PIE 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 occupa.
iion, will eourageously and proudly re-
s1me the path Of progress in the light
Of the sun of liberty"
President Wilson Replies
President Wilson, thanking Baron
Goneheur and through him King AL
bert, 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
of benefit 70 them as to the innocent
civilian population whom il was in
tended 70 aid.
America engaged upon this work as
beng the only means. however made
euate, Of expressing our deep and sim
eere admiration for the valiant nation
that has gone forth unhesitatingly to
meet the onslaughts of a ruthless
enemy rather than sacrifice her honor
and her self-respect.
The American people have been able
TO understand and glory in the unf1inch-
lng heroism of the Belgian people and
heir sovereign. and there is not one
imong US who does not to-day welcome
De opportunity Of expressing TO you
eur heartfelt sympathy and friendship
and our solemn determination that on
tie inevitable day of victory Belgium
shsll be restored 20 the place she has
80 richly won among the self-respecting
and respected nations of the earth"
Tonight the visitors were enter
tanned at formal White House dinner.
The guests included Vice President
Marshall, the Belgian Minister. Chief
Justice White, Speaker Clark, members
OF the Cabinet, number Of Congress
tionsl leaders and high officers Of the