Evening star., 1919-09-21

tage for the upbuilding Of the indus-
tries OF his people.
On this first visit King Albert. who
Is Albert Leopold Cement Marie Mein-
rad. and a handsome list of titles be-
sides, travelled as Count de Rethey.
Consequently. the government made
no special arrangements for his re-
ceptlon. He was at that time three
times removed from the throne and
was looked upon simply as a sprig OF
royalty with serious ambitions ana q
desire to be Of some use in the world.
when he arrived at New York on
march 8. 1898. on the Kaiser VIII
neim der Crosse. he was met by Gen.
wesley Merritt and several Of his staff.
representing the government. He was
also met by the Belgian minister,
count Lichtervelde. The escort Of
the young prince consisted of two
people, his aid-de-camp, Lieut.. Col.
Jungbluth. and DR.. Charles Melis. Bel
CLAN court physician.
When welcomed to America he ~
pled IN quite good English that he
was heartily glad to be in this glori-
Gus country, of which he had heard
so much. The newspapers Of the time
state that his manner was so frank
ana his person so manly and hand
some, that he Immediately won the
respect and admiration Of the public.
he is reported at that time as being
SIX x>feet tall. Since then, as enthu-
siasm for his self-sacrifice and
bravery has become a part Of the
history OF the war. one frequently
reads that he is six feet four. Whether
he has grown only In the hearts Of
the world. or physically. remains to
be seen. s-
The coming reception Of King Al.
bert IN Washington will be much
more ceremonious than the first one.
when he found simply the carriage OF
President Mckinley waiting for him
at the station and was driven to the
old Arlington Hotel, where he usual
ly dined in the public dining room ana
occupied part of the same suite that
Dom Pedro had occupied during his
visit to the capital. ~
However, II the program for the
visit of the royal guests in October IL
carried out as it is planned by the
State Department. 1t will be very Diff
ferent from that accorded the EN-
peror Of Brasil. although President
Grant wished to show Dom Pedro all
the attention due such an illustrious
viSifnr III
that he came simply as the first gep-
tleman of Brazil, and wished to ac-
cept no official honors. ...
In 1876. when it was made known
that Dom Pedro II. Emperor Of
Brazil. was to attend the Centennial
exposition at Philadelphia, great sport
was made by some Of the more demo-
cratic papers about Uncle Sans plans
to entertain royalty. and suggestions
from Constant Readers" were very
amusing. as they were always written
In a more or less ironical tone with
illusions as to the manner in which
royalty would have been entertained
in 1776. Nevertheless. authorities on
court etiquette were referred to and
consulted. and dignified program ar
ranged for the reception Of the dis
tinguished visitor.
Dom Pedro came at the time when q
large part Of ofIlcialdom ana its cous-
ins were either being investigated
by Congress or about to be SO. and
society Of the National Capital was
somewhat perturbed. Notwithstand-
ing the unpleasantness in the cabinet
1t was arranged that the Secretary OF
State. the Secretary Of War and the
Secretary Of the Navy should proceed
to New York to welcome his majesty.
They were accompanied by tho
Brasilian minister and attaches Of the
legation. The United States steamers
Alert and Minnesota were detailed to
receive the guest: the Minnesota was
to fire the salute and the Brazilian
frigate Nieteroby to return 1t. Every
thing was arranged and the stage
was set. The welcoming party was to
steam down the bay with. fags flying.
whistles blowing and the Marine Band
playing the national airs Of the two
countries.
This part Of the program was car
ried out with great eclat. and the
liner Helvelius. on which the en-