The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-11-27
King and Democrat
Albert of Belgium Tells His
Fellow Citizens His Plans
for National and Individual
Freedom.

Brussels. Friday, Nov. % BY the
Associated Press ).-King Albert hav-
, ing been received enthusiastically by
the inha abitants of his redeemed cap
| ita, today made an important speech
| from the throne in parliament-his
! first utterance in the capital since al
most the beginning of the war. Near
!; the throne stood General Pershing,
representing the American army;
] Gen. Plumer, of the British army,
and other generals. The chamber was
I filed with members and in the CALLER
les was the diplomatic corps including
Brand Whitlock, who returned Thurs
day.
! One of the most vital points in the
kings address dealt with the question
of suffrage for Belgium and IN this
connection he said:
The government proposes to the
cham bers to lower, by patriotic
agreement, the ancient barriers and
to make the constitution Of the nation
reality on the basis of equal suffrage
for all men of the mature age reQu1r-
i ed for the exercise of civil rights.
This statement aroused a storm of
applause from all of the members. Re
ferring to the Flemish question King
Albert said:
'The necessity of fruitful union
demands the sincere collaboration of
all citizens of the same country with
| out distinction of origin or language.
In this domain of language the strict
est equality and the most absolute JUS
tice will preside over the elaboration
of projects which the government will
submit to the national representa-
tives.
"a reciprocal respect for the inter
ests of the Flemings and the Wal
Ions ought to be an integral principle
of the administration and should give
to each the certainty of being under
stood when he speaks his own Ian
guage and assure to him his full in
| telectual development, especially high
er education.
In regard to the future status of
Belgium he declared:
Belgium, victorious and freed from
the neutrality that was imposed upon
| her by states which have been shat
tered to their foundation by war, will
enjoy complete independence.
Belgium, reestablished in all its
rights. will rule its destinies accord
| ing to it's aspirations and in full SOW
ereignty.'
II speaking of the manner in which
the war had been brought to a sue
cessful conclusion, King Albert re-
ferred with gratitude to the great ef-
forts Of ali the entente countries anG
Of the United States, "a new and stall
wart ally which added the weight OF
her effort. SO great and enthusiastic
TO that of the other nations and caus-
ed our formidable adversary to tot
ter
Near the close of his address the
king paid a further glowing tribute to
the entente nations and made
striking reference to America, which
he declared had saved Belgium from
famine
The scene in the parliament cham
Der was most impressive. Groups
w
were Cardinal Mercier, Burgomaste.
Max. General Leman. the defender Of
Liege and Prince Albert Of Great
Britain. Queen Elizabeth with the
princes and princesses had preceded
the king to the throne. AS King Al
bert entered he passed in front OF Car
! dinal Mercier, Burgomaster Max anc
General Lenan and shook each OF
them warmly by the hand.
General Pershing took no part in
the parade or other ceremonies of the
Cay. having entered the city quietly as
spectator.
After the ceremonies in the cham
Der the king held an official reception
to the diplomats and city officials al
the city hall Here Minister Whit
lock had touching meeting with
Burgomaster Max. whom he had not
seen since his arrest and edportation
to Germany.