The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-17
BELGIANS COOL
TO WILSON VISIT
Reception in Brussels To-mor-
row Will Lack Enthusiasm
Of Other Capitals.
PEOPLE ARE RESENTFUL
They Feel That Their Inter
ests Have Been Neglected
at Peace Table.
PEOPLE ARE RESENTFUL
Special Gable Despdfch 10 THE SuS.
Copvriohf 1919. all yfohfs ressrred.

BRUSSELS, June 16.-Belgium Is pre-
pairing an elaborate welcome for Presi-
dent Wilson. although there is nothing
like the enthusiasm which awaited the
President on his earlier visits to the
allied capitals. Belgium's reception to
the President is to be in the nature
of a final, almost exasperated appeal
for consideration in the apportionnefit
OF reparations and indemnities.
Feeling has been running high
throughout the kingdom during the
Paris negotiations, in which Belgians
have felt their country received undue
III treatment. In fact, n long period of
expectation ended in complete disap-
pointment over the results obtained
by the Belgian delegation and virtually
precipitated an interior political and
economic crisis. In Brussels six
months ago they were singing Presi-
dent Wilson's praise; they placed every
confidence in him and in his power to
obtain the guarantees which Belgiums
statesmen insist are due her. To-day
the Belgians insist that they have not
received one of these guarantees, and
as a result criticism Of the American
President is heard everywhere. In
many instances II is bitter.
Loss of League Seat Resented.
Popular Indignation has not yet
Quieted down over the rebuke the Bel
gtan capital received at the hands OF
the President when he pleaded in favor
Of Geneva as the seat of the League Of
Nations Public opinion keenly resented
this discrimination IN favor OF a neutral
| city whose poeudo-Germsn role during
the war they assert was notorious.
The Presidents attitude right along
on questions OF reparation, in which
| many Belgians believe their country was
betrayed, Is regarded as having been
unfavorable. This has irritated public
feeling to the breaking point Belgium's
voice is now raised In a declaration that
she did not receive Just indemnification
and on this point she will insist most
! emphatically during the Presidents brief
stay here.
| Another Belgian count against the
| President is due to his stand in the
| Belgo- Dutch dispute over the frontier
settlement of 1889. The Presidents pro-
| Dutch attitude is beyond the comprehen-
SION OF many thinking BelgianS
That revision OF the treaty which de-
| prives Belgium of her natural frontier,
| II is asserted. takes away her only guar
antee against another aggression. Many
! II Ia faif In I ha
/ efficacy OF the League OF Nations as an
| instrument Offering sure guarantees. and
| they consider a safe frontier as the best
! safeguard against invasion.
VIII Bs Housed in Royal Palace.
There is still another factor contribut-
! ing to the almost frigid atmosphere
awaiting the President, and that is the
! failure of the people to grasp the Pres
ident's reasons for not visiting Belgium
during the first weeks OF his arrival in
Europe. or why his pilgrimage to the
most martyred nation OF the war was
postponed until such a late hour. The
Presidential journey Is now to be made
more or less for the sake OF appearances,
as one Belgian writer resentfully put 1t.
Some details OF the Presidents visit
have been announced. The President
and Mrs Wilson will stop at the Royal
Palace, occupying lhe suite USED by
visiting sovereigns. Upon the arrival
OF the Presidential party at Brussels
Wednesday afternoon there will be a re.
ception at the ancient Hotel de Vile
Burgomeister Max and the city council
many members OF which along with NJ
Max were prosecuted by the Germans
will receive the President The same
evening the King and Queen of the
Belslans will give a dinner In the Presi.
dents honor and a return luncheon will
be offered by Brand Whitiock, the
American Minister. Thursday afternoon