The Washington herald., 1918-07-22
BEIGIUM'S
OF FREEDOM
HONORED HERE
Wilson S Message Read at
Vesper Services on
Elipse.
NEW HOPES AT HOME
Open Observance Forbid
den by Rulers. but Hearts
Pray for Victory.

Belgian Independence Day. July
81. was celebrated in Washington
yesterday at the vesper service held
on the EIlipse.
Across the seas in the trenches on
the Belgian and French front Bel
gian soldiers honored their national
holiday. the S7th anniversary OF
their independence of Holland by
Killing as many Boches as possible.
Zach grim-faced exile from the
homeland. sped his bullets with a
prayer that they might find some
German heart, that one more of the
oppressors might fall by q Belgian
bullet that day.
In the Belgian territory, occupied
by. the Germans, the people held
their fete days in their hearts, for
hidden by their masters to cele-
brate openly. Last year the open
celebration of the day cost the city
of Brussels $1O.O00.O0O. a hne i'm
posed by the Germans for daring
even to think of q free Belgium
sNext Year, They whisper.
Next year" the people whisper be-
hind closed doors, perhaps we will
celebrate. as We used to do in the
days before the Germans came.
Patiently. uncomplainingly. they
wait for the day Of which Cardinal
Mercier spoke on the 2st Of July two
years ago.
"On that day" the Cardinal said.
''our King viii bow his unconquered
head before the King of Kings, stand
ing on his throne, and the Belgian
people, hand in hand, will renew their
vows to God. their sovereign, and
their liberty"
Yesterday on the Ellipse message
sent-by- President Wilson to Albert OF
Belgium was read. To the people of
the country it will be a message OF
hope that the day for which they
watch and pray Is at hand As they
read and hear what our President has
said they will think of the million
American boys who are lighting for
them. for their liberty and homes. In
the parts Of the occupied territory
where the news - the allied victories
has penetrated, they will read the
Presidents message as they read of
the drive the American soldiers are
making through the German lines.
Secretary Paternotte Speaks
Secretary Paternotte. Of the Bel
gian Legation, told the people OF
Washington that the American
troops had filled the hearts of the
Belgian people and Of the Belgian
army with new hope.
The day of victory has dawned
at last" he said. when the Bel
gian troops re-enter Brussels the
American flag will fly with our own
banner in the place of honor"
Attending the celebration yester-
day was Lieut.. Barber, a hero of
the earlier battles. The young off,
GER wears on his breast all the de-
corations in the power of the Bel
gian King and Queen to bestow. in
token of the services he has rem
dered his country.
Lieut.. Barber walks with a slight
limp, the result of a wound that
lost him his leg. After the opera
ton, he insisted on returning to
theStrenehes. and was finally per-
mitted to return by the authorities.
He was again wounded and brought
back to the hospitals and finally was
sent to this country.
Belgian Day was celebrated in all
the allied countries. In Cuba it has
been decided by vote of the Cuban
Congress. to adopt the twenty-first
of July as their national holiday, in
honor +of the services Belgium has
rendered to humanity.