Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-20
PLIGHT OF BELGIUM
THEME Of SPEAKER
Gen. LIE CIercq Says Germany
Tried to Tempt People to
Sell Their Souls.
TALKS TO BOARD OF TRADE

Germany tried to tempt us to sell
our souls. to fail our plighted word, to
enter into an unholy alliance. Bel
GUM will be glad when peace returns.
But we won't get peace unless we fight
for 1t. There Is only one kind of peace
we want or viii accept-a peace with
honor, which will assure us against
further aggressions of Germany"
With these words Gen. Matthew LIE
C1ercq, head Of the Belgian military mis-
sion to the United States, won plaudits of
members Of the Washington Board OF
Trade and their guests. gathered at
Central High School last evening for a
patriotic meeting. The meeting was
planned in compliment both to Belgium
and to members Of the Board Of Trade
country's service.
Col W. W. Harris and Maj. A Barnes
Hooe also made addresses. The speak
ers were introduced by Edwin C. Bran
denburg, president of the board
Patriotic airs were played by Rake
mann's Orchestra. War pictures issued
by the French war office. presented
commercial economics, We're shown, de-
picting the Belgium of today.
Pays Tribute to America.
Gen. LIE Clercq paid tribute to the
efficacy of Americas war preparation.
He said that in travelling about the
country the alert, well set up, soldier
iy young men in tho cantonments" es-
pecially had impressed him. He said
the song of the trenches In Europe,
The Yanks Are Coming Over Here
betokened the appreciation in which
American aid was held.
In spite of all the splendid work
of the committee for the relief of Bel
GUM and of many other organizations
he said. there is much to be done. Our
people must be taught new trades, we
must build new factories.
Germany carried away our men, tore
asunder families, ruined our villages
mills and factories, dug UP railroads,
robbed banks and utterly destroyed in
dustry of every description.
Germany has made of Belgium g
barren waste. Her idea, as expressed
by Won Kissing, was either to annex
Belgium or make her nominally indie
pendent, but practically dependent upon
Germany.
I'VE intend to fight on until we get
a real peace. and not a fake peace
sorbed by a powerful neighbor."
Greeted by Vigorous Applause.
Gen. lie Clercq was most vigorously
applauded when he said:
AT present there is only one argu-
ment which Germany will listen to-
force. The voice of big guns truly is
the final argument for peace. We pre-
sented that argument. and we are still
arguing in that way. 1t looks as if the
British and the French are getting the
better in the same sort of argument
Here you. the United States. come into
the question. The United states will
present the final argument for everlast-
ing peace.
The speaker said the population OF
Belgium, through want and hunger anG
suffering had been reduced 20 per cent
mostly from the death Of old men
women and little children. Many have
died from lack of nutrition. he said
but the spirit of the people is not
broken. Alter all the horrors of Ger
man occupation. he said, the love fol-
the King of Belgium is stronger thar
ever, and the hatred of the invader is
implanted deep in the hearts of people
of all class.
Col. Harris Farewell to Washington.
Col. Harris, who is soon to go tc
I-rn,ca ,pade q farewe11 address m Nh.