New-York tribune., 1918-07-22
1000 in Stadium
Celebrate Belgium's S
independence Day
Major Manning, Rector of
Trinity, Pays Tribute to
Country's Brave Struggle
Promises Her Justice
No Peace, He Declares, Until
Germans Have Been Beaten
to Their Knees

Seven thousand voices were raised
IN cheers last night when greater New
York celebrated Belgian Independence
Day at the City College Stadium. Major
William t. Manning, U. s. A, rector
OF Trinity Church, was the principal
speaker, and he brought the immense
audience to its feet several times.
Major Leon Osterreith. chief of the
Belgian Military Mission to the United
States. also spoke. He began by pub
licly thanking Major Manning for re-
marks in regard to Belgium and her
place IN the worlds reverence and ad-
mratlon. Continuing, he said:
Il think that the Germans are boast
NC little when they continue to speak
OF Americas preparation for war as
American bluff. Belgium did little to
the Kaiser in the first round, but Uncle
Sam with his big fist will put him on
the bum
During his address Major Manning
mentioned the names of King Albert and
Cardinal MERCER, and as though in
splred by one mind, every one present
arose and cheered and applauded.
Letters Of Regret Read
before introducing the speakers
Pierre Mali, Belgian Consul General in
America, said that letters of regret
at being unable to be present had been
received by the committee from Gov
ernor Whitman, Mayor Hylan and the
Belgian Minister to the United States
at Washington.
tie next read the following messages
which are to be forwarded to President
Wilson and King Albert of Belgium:
president Woodrow Wilson: Seven
thousand Belgians and Americans
gathered here tonight to celebrate the
anniversary OF the independence of
beiglum and reassert unswerving low
atty to the United States and it's Presi-
dent"
king Albert: Seven thousand Bel
glans and Americans, assembled in
memory of Belgium's independence. ex-
press to you their highest admira+ion
Tor Belgium and her heroic leader"
The first speaker was Albert Levi
Sqhn' donor of the stadium to the city
lie welcomed those present and said.
belgium has saved the world from
the domination of the most despotic
autocracy, and we of the United States
reel IN honor bound to see that Bel
gum 5 wrongs are righted"
Fine Musical Programme
The musical portion of the pro-
gramme was not by any means the
least important feature of the cele-
bratlon. Arnold Volpe directed the
stadium Symphony Orchestra through
several numbers.
The vocal and instrumental soloists
were Alice Nerlet, prima donna of the
Paris Grand Opera; Auguste Bonillez
barytone, Brussels Grand Opera;
Octave Qua, tenor, Chicago Opera anf
Bruxelles Grand Opera, and Uva
Shko mix, principal violnist of the
stadium Symphony Orchestra. In the
rendition OF dramatic poem Carlo
Ll'en' the famous Belgian actor, was
accompanied by the orchestra.
Mr.. Rouilliez sang his own aria. en-.
titieo ALBERT l., dedicated to the KING
OF Belgium. This is the first public
performance of this work in America
Major Maanings Speech
Dr. Manning said:
'Ihe first article in the war Greco
OF every American is deliverence rea
toration' and full restitution for Rel
GUM.
There is not an American living to-
cay VINO is willing to talk or ever
,mnk about peace until every Prussia1
mas mas been driven out Of Belgium. 1
tnere Is any man or woman in thi,
land who wants to talk about peac,
before that is accomplished he is no
an American, he is a creature withou
the spirit of honor, without the sens,
OF Justice, without the soul of tru
man
only, the other day the Prussia,
nanceilor, with characteristic inso
ience, announced that Germany /
holding Belgium as a pawn with whjc,
sne rs gong TO barter in making term
OF peace. We serve notice on tn
frusslan Chancellor and his Hohen
zollern master that America and YOU
other allies Will never do any bargain
ins with Prusslans about Belgium, O
anout any other country. We did no
enter this war for that purpose. W
are not going to bargain. We are %
lng to fight. We are going to driy
the brutal invader by force out O
your land, and out of the other land
which he has attacked and despole
ana polluted with his presence. an
then we are going to dictate t
nun III perrin the terms of Just an
righteous peace, and we are roing +
compel him to keep those terms
World Will Never FORGET
Much has happened in these fo,
tragic years and there is much vet
come, but the world will never fore,
Llcge and Louvain. SO long as mo
hate tyranny and treachery. so ]or
as men love honor, truth and vslo
those names will proclaim the infau
of the Hun invader and the glory
the little country that dared to b,
his way.
Your mistaken constancy, your n
taillng courage in your great trials. Fl
US with admiration and reverence f,
Your brave people and with wrat
which nothing shall quence again
those who have inflicted these sorrow
upon you. The spirit of your peop
after these four years of uuutterab
suffering is an example and q cha
lenge to the world.
"As there is Just God in heave
we viii see justice done in Belgiur
We VIII give our whole strength ar
life to this battle until the task is fl
ished and the victory is won; we wi
follow our million men now in Franc
with ten million more, and with MOI
than that if need be; we Will new,
SlaCken nor weaken until tho Hrp