Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-10-15
IS A n FRANCISCO
PAYS HIGH HONOR
TO KING ALBERT
Queen and Other Members of
Belgian Party Heartily
Welcomed in True West.
ern Fashion.

San Francisco, Oct. l4.-Belgian
royalty entered San Francisco Tues
day and the city took them to its
heart with true western hospitality.
They were greeted with the eere-
mony due reigning monarchs. but
beneath the formalities they must
have felt the ungrudging admiration
bestowed upon a heroic soldier and
his devoted queen.
The guns of the New Mexico.
flagship of the Pacific fleet, doomed
decp-throated salute as they
crossed the bay from Oakland and
King Albert dined tonight upon the
super-dreadnaught which flies Ad-
miral Hugh Rodman's our-starred
pennant.
The king entered here upon the
second phase of his tour of the
United States. He made the most
earnest plea he has voiced thus far
for his stricken country.
Its determination to live cause
| it to strain every effort" he said.
1T asks the sympathy and the help
of those powerful friends who al
ready have aided in its misfortunes."
Simple, Dignified Response.
With simple dignity his majesty
responded to the welcome given
him by Governor Stephens, Mayor
Rolph and Herbert Hoover, de-
voted friend OF the hosts of hungry
refugees whose gratitude sounds for
him daily benediction.
Cheered, it seemed, by half the
city's population, Albert, Elizabeth
and the Duke of Brabant rode
through two and a half miles of
Market street from the ferry to the
city hall through lane of men and
women. In the splendid rotunda OF
the municipal building they were
made honorary citizens Of San
Francisco. His majesty expressed
his appreciation and his sweet-faced
consort was showered with flowers
grown under the far western sun.
Her triumph was no less than that
of her husband.
1t was at luncheon in honor of
the king and his aides at the Pal
ace hotel that his majesty made his
most important speech of the day.
Cheered Frantically.
More than 1000 men and women
stood and cheered him frantically
as he rose to respond to the ad-
dresses of welcome. In the uniform
of lieutenant general, his breast
bare of decorations, his face was
grave as he looked out over the
faces before him and paid heartfelt
tribute to the Californians who had
done so much to aid his people. But
first of all in his simple English. he
voiced his thanks to Hoover, only
to be halted by applause.
II come from my country that
has been sorely tried by the war"
said the king, "a country where
they feel already the approach, Of
winter. Here I find this magnifi-
cent city, bathed by radiant sun
and the distinguished gentlemen
who receive me are the faithful
friends Of Belgium.
"How shall express the emo
tons that feel in finding myself
here with such a warm welcome?
From the bottom OF my heart I
thank the city Of San Francisco and
all California for their inexhaustible
generosity toward the Bclgians.
Statutes Hoover's Name.
IT salute with profound gratitude
the name of Mr.. Herbert Hoover.
"In her history San Francisco has
a page from which Belgium may
learn a great lesson. After the
frightful fire of 1906 the city so
deeply s,nltten did not lose courage
and in a few years it raised itself
from its ruins richer and more beau
tiful !han ever.
Belgium also reconstructs little
by little its factories that were de-
stroyed by the enemy. But the work
of its economic reconstruction will
be long and arduous. Its deter
minat;on to live causes it to strain
every effort.
1T asks the sympathy and the
help OF those powerful friends who
have already aided it in its misfor-
tune"
Honorary Membership.
When he had finished he was pre-
scented. in behalf of FIVE commercial
organizations, with silver fruit and
flower dish, together with honorary
membership in each of the organiza-
tons.
The queen was absent from the
luncheon, attending one given in her
honor at the St. Francis by the
women of San Francisco, but Prince
Leopold sat near his father and
blushed with boys embarrassment
when he rose to acknowledge an in
PRODUCTION by Mayor Rolph.
The queen, gowned in white, with
a long loose coat of brown velvet
with furs and hat to match, capti-
waited the women who lunched with
her. Many pairs of white gloves
were rent by hand clapping when
her majesty was presented by Brand
Whitloek, United States ambassador
to Belgium, who shares with Hoover
the gratitude of the nation. Her
majesty was attended by her lady
in-waiting, Countess De Caraman-
Chirlay and Mrs. Whitlock. Later
she received the Belgian relief work
ers of the city at the Palace.
Go for Long Motor Ride.
After the luncheon the queen re-
Joined her husband and the whole
Belgian party went for long motor
ride about the city. Mr.. Hoover
rode with his majesty and as they
climbed into their car Albert ac-
cepted a cigar which he smoked
with evident enjoyment.
Before the dinner nm The Menu