Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-19
PRESIDENT WILSON
GETS CLOSE VIEW
OF BELG|UM'S RUIN
Motors to CharIeroi With
King Albert, Attended by
Numerous Suite.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associa ted Press
BRUSSELS, June 19.-President
Wilson, who reached the Belgian
capital last night after a days trip
from the border. which took him
through the district devastated by the
war. began the second day of his
visit to Belgium this morning by
motoring to Charleroi with King, AL
bert. They set out on their trip at
9 o'clock, accompanied by NJ. Jaspar.
the minister of economies, and nu-
merouS suite.
Short Speech by the President.
On stepping out of the palace this
morning the President found several
thousand persons assembled there,
who clamored for a speech. He re-
sponded with his first public talk,
which was confined to few words.
MY friends" said the President,
"in coming here personally 1 have
heart of the American people toward
Belgium"
The king expected to show the
American executive the destruction
wrought by the Germans in the mines
at Charleroi and supply him with
wholesale and systematic destruction
practiced by the Germans.
The President was not accompanied
by Mrs. Wilson, who was somewhat
fatigued after yesterdays trying
journey.
A luncheon at the American lega-
ton, the appearance Of the President
before the Belgian chamber of
deputies and his reception by Cardi-
nal MERCER at Malines were few
tod g
In the palace the President had met
all the members of the Belgian cabi-
net and Cardinal MERCER BY call
ing first, the cardinal offered diplo-
matte route for the Presidents call
upon him at MalineS today.
Address From the Labor Party.
The general council of the Belgian
labor party has addressed message
to President Wilson, in which it says:
"The labor party repudiates any
peace of violence and awaits the reign
of definite peace assuring the SOW
ereignty Of labor and the triumph of
President Wilson's principles"
The address recalls the Intervention
of the United States in the war. and
adds: IF the working classes every
where were masters of their destinies
it is beyond doubt that the Presi-
dents program would have complete
ly triumphed at the peace conference
and Belgium would have obtained
complete PREPARATION for the losses she
suffered
Minister Lauds Americas Aid.
Belgium's gratitude or Americas
work of relief during the great war and
for the gallant service of the American
Army during the last months of the
conflict was expressed by Paul Hymans,
r,.<
of President Wilson's visit to the Bel
gian parliament.
Addressing Mr.. Wilson. the minister
recalled proofs of Americas friendship
for Belgium which were given him when
he visited the United States during the
first few months of the war as a member
of the Belgian commission which in
uuired into German atrocities.
Since then" he said, Americans
have proved their sentiments toward our
country by acts of generosity, especial
ly by the establishment of the Belgian
relief commission"
NJ Hymans paid a tribute to Herbert
c. Hoover, who acted as chairman of
the relief commission; Brand Whit
lock, American minister to Belgium;
and the American press, and Ameri-
can women.
"Belgian Cause Symbol of Right"
The result OF tneSe eIIOTIS Oh Amer
icans," he continued. was that the
Belgian cause became the symbol of
right. 1t won such partisans OF
weight as Cardinal Gibbons. DR..
Charles w. Eliot, president emeritus
of Harvard University; Samuel Com
pers. president of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, and Theodore Roose-
yelt. Finally the American Army.
crusading to Europe, took a glorious
part in the common victory.
Thanks to our liberal democratic
the Belgian people, under
the leadership Of our beloved dynasty.
resisted the formidable attack of the
invader. Belgium. after four years of
occupation, bruised and weakened. is
of its means of production,
but is not discouraged. and is confident
of the future. Workers. business men,
scientists and artists will cooperate |
in the work of reconstituting Bel
GUMS moral and intellectual life. |
They are convinced they may rely on
American aid and friendship"
M. Hymans spoke of the good will |
toward Belgium shown by the Amer |
Continued m Sec0nd PaRel