Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-09-21
ny KEN ETH ia TOUR.

BRUSSELS. Sept. @0.-Ou the eve of
his departure for the United states,
received the correspondent OF Uuiver-
sal Service. aud gave him an advance
message TO the American people:
The interview was granted in the
royal palace at Laokcn. No ceremony
attended the event. the King, who is
the most democratic monarch in the
received me unattended by single
functionary. He was attred in the
khaki field uniform of 4 Belgian gem
eral and wore no decorations
King Albert has lost the drawn look,
which was his most striking charac-
tcris,ic during the war. He appears
in spicnfid health, showing not the
since tho outbreak of the war he has
seldom been absent from his work,
which usually keeps him busy from I
His eyes twinkled and his face beamcd
when he spoke of his coming tour
Of America, which he has not visited
since he was 4 youth. He was in the
United states for five months during
the Spanish war.
Please be seated he said,t thus
of European royalty according, TO
which an interviewer remains stand
ing.
Not on Pleasure Jnunt.
ut should he understood" began
King Albert. that | am not going to
America on Il pleasure tour The great
enjoyment and rest which the trip will
afford are only incidental for my real
mission is TO fultill a duty TO America
and Belgium.
Firstly. L must return President
Wilson's call; secondly, want TO take
occasion TO express Belgiums most
beyond the Atlantic, who backed up
and succored her so nobly during the
war; thirdly, l feel IL is my duIy to
make an intensive study of the most
- 4. not H., 4.
world in order TO bring back Industrial
and economic lessons for application
in the reconstruction of the land whose
honor and welfare constitute my only
pre-occupation and object in life
If pleasure We're the sole. object OF
the trip, | should prefer travelling in
ccoSnito. but / know | couldn't escape
the keen American reporters. so !
didn't dare try
y shall be Interested in studying
American conditions and methods. ana
hope my hosts won't think | expect
lavish banpuets and ceremonies In
fact, in View Of prohibition. ii would
not be becoming to ME to accept too
many toaSts."
Praises American People.
The King spoke in glowing terms of
Americas part in the war. america $
intervention undoubtedly was the de-
cisive factor in bringing victory TO our
cause" said he. The American SOL
der is one OF the finest fighters In the
world. When in action he is fierce and
irresistible. The American system Of
education combines the best principles
Of physical as we'll as academic de
relopmcnt of youth.
Possibly this accounts for the mag
nifcent physique of General Pershing 5
troops am going 10 make close
study OF schools in the United States
When | return to belgium | hope "a
be able TO introduce improvements
imported from our great friend and
ally on the other side.
Our country has reached the turn
ing point We are passing from tho
old order to the new. Like Phoenix
the country already is rising from the
ashes OF wars destruction thanks tC
the intense industry, thrift and pn
triot!sm OF the people, but changes
must come in our industries. which
are now numerous. but small. We
must learn from America the lesson
| of cooperation and Capitalization II