New-York tribune., 1918-06-21
Belgians Condemn
Hearst Papers as
Foes of Belgium
5000 Protest Against At.
tack on Vice-Consul in
Los Angeles
Especial Dispatch 90 The Tribune

Especial Dispatch 20 The Trtbune)
LOS ANGELES, June 20-Uniting in
resolutions condemning the Hearst
! newspapers as "enemies of Belgium"
gium at all times" members of the Bel
gian Circle and War Relief Fund, rep
resenting more than 5000 Belgians liv-
ing in Southern California, at a special
meeting Tuesday night protested in
letter to the Belgian Minister in Wash
ington against the defamation of
Charles Winsei, the Belgian vice-consul
in Los Angeles, who has been attacked
by The Los Angeles Examiner" for
The resolutions call upon all Belgians
in the United States, and all friends of
Belgium, 70 avoid patronizing the
Hearst newspapers.
In explaining the purpose of the
meeting, Edward Arnaelsteen, president
of the circle, said:
"The meeting was called to protest
against the insults offered by The Los
Angeles Examiner to Charles Winsel,
Belgian vice-consul in Los Angeles. Mr..
Winsei has done more than any other
gium md the Allies. He is an Ameri-
can citizen by choice, as / am He
fought as a volunteer for the United
States.
"We must protest against these in
suits to him and to the Belgian colony,
for if we pass them by in silence it
means that we approve. 1t is our duty
to protest
.'We should remember that in 1914
The San Francisco Examiner said, the
Belgians deserved whit they got from
he Germans; that the Belgans tried
10 make heroes of themselves instead
Of obeying orders of the Germans. The
San Francisco Examiner said further
that the people Of the United States
should have nothing to do with Bel
GUMS troubles. The Examiner cannot
deny that"
The resolutions follow:
Whereas, The Belgians realize
that the Hearst papers, and especially
"The Los Angeles Examiner" are the
enemies of Belgium; be it
Resolved. That the Belgians resid-
ing in the United States be apprised
of the stand taken by the Hearst
papers in siding with the Germans
openly before the United States came
into the war, and in discrediting the
cause of Belgium at all times; and,
Resolved, That the Belgians resent
the insinuations made against the
| official representatives of Belgium IN
| Los Angeles; and,
Resolved, That the Bclgians in the
! United States abstain from patroniz-
friends of Belgium to do the same.
I The letter sent to Washington fol-
lows:
| To the Belgian Minister, Belgian Le-
cation. Washington.
Excellency: The Belgian colony Of
| Southern California desires to call
| your kind attention TO the attack
made by "The Los Angeles Examiner
on our honorable vice-consul, Mr.
Charles Winsel, saying that he is not
working in the interests Of Belgium.
| We protest against these statements
OF the Hearst newspapers rejecting
on Mr.. Winsel because of his con-
nection with a patriotic society, the
Loyal League. This league has sent
| petition to the Governor of the
State Of California.
We beg TO express the gratitude of
all the members of the colony to Mr..
| Winsel for what he has done for the
cause OF Belgium since the war
began. Fan Be,s;.n COLONY of South 49,,
form your cxcellency that the vice
consulate is in the hands of capa-
BILE man, ready to give all his time in
| the name of Belgium.
| Accept, your excellency, the deep
est expressions of respect.
BELGIAN COLONY OF SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA.
Mr.. Winscl himself was not present.
The Belgian Circle and War Relief
Fund was organized among the Los
Angeles and Southern California Bel
gians in 1914, and has been doing Bel
gian war relief work, giving entertain
ments and raising funds, all of which
were digbursed under the strict super
| vision Of the Belgian consulate. Re-
Gently the circle has been voluntarily
turning its collections and aid over to
the Committee for Relief in Belgium
and Northern France. This committee
has raised more than $4,000 for Bel
! gian yelicf since it was organized.