Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-10-03
ROYAL HEADS
(continued from PausN One)

ROYAL HEADS
Continued from Pausoons)
President Wilson and then the srati-
tude of all Belgium, to all America.
He and the queen hoped to get
many valuable ideas and lessons
from. their visit to the United States.
he said, and they regarded the jour-
ney as an epoch in their lives.
Welcoming royalty to Americas
shores is a novelty event to the vet
eran attaches of the State depart
ment. but there was no slip in the
arrangements ind no unseeming out
break Of domestic exuberance. The
formal greeting was simple and
democratic. There was no royal
diAs ana no carpet was spread.
AS the king set foot on the pier the
band of the George Washington
swung into the strains of La Braban-
come. the Belgian National Anthem.
The right arms Of Albert and Prince
Leopold snapped up in salute, but
they were no more prompt in their
recognition of the air which has
sent armies to battle bravery against
overwhelming odds than were Gen
eral Peyton e. March, chief Of staff,
and the American officers. who sue
ceeded him. Vice President Marshall.
Secretary Of State Lansing and
Secretary Of War Baker and all the
other civilians uncovered.
Taller than any man on the pier,
Albert made
His face has become familiar to al,
Americans since the war began and
he became one Of the worlds great
heroes, but he wore nose glasses
which have not appeared in his pho
tographs. AS the last notes of the
Bra Banconne died away there was
pause Of. a few seconds and then
Mr.. Marshall began his address Of
welcome in behalf of President Will
son.
There is no man in this broad
land who loves fidelity, patience and
courage who does not gladly welcome
YOU he said. "A king without
kings cunning: a man with a INNS
high sense Of honor who sought the
Via Dolorosa and the Via Sacra
with the thought that by the tread
ing Of these ways the world might
find that treaties are not scraps of
paper; that above crown and king
dom. faith and courage must and
the banners OF a people not become
the mud despatched badge of in
fanny"
Albert stood at attention while the
vice president was speaking and
then replied briefly and simply. IT
seemed that he was speaking only to
Mr.. MARSHALL and those near him.
for he did not raise his voice above
conversational tone and used no
gestures.
The formal greeting over. the
King, queen and prince were presert.
ed to the members of the official gov
eminent reception committee which
included. besides the cabinet officers
ana their wives, Ambassador Whit
lock. who has endeared himself to
all the Belgians, and Mrs. Whitlock.
The Ring chatted for two or three
minutes with General March and
seemed genuinely glad to meet the
American chief of staff but it seem
ed that he clasped most warmly the
hand of Mr.. WhitlOck although he
greeted Secretaries Lansing and
Baker as old friends. The king
bowed low as he shook the hands of
the women in the party. The queen
was no less gracious. but the crown
prince showed something of a boys
embarra ssment.
The presentations were made by
Baron de Cartier De Marchfenne.
nrst Belgian ambassador to the Unit
ed States, who boarded the George
Washington down the bay.
The formal welcome over the
royal party. headed by the king and
MIR. Marshall, passed down the flag.
bedecked pier between lines of reg.
ulars and marines who presented
arms as they went by. As they near
ed the street entrance welfare work.
ers and Red Cross nurses lined the
way, standing at attention. Waiting
patiently outside the pier in a drix-
cling rain as the Representatives of
Hoboken. were 200 girls who sent the
queen a note Of greeting and a bas-
ket of flowers.
The nations guests entered auto
and drove to the Lacka wan
ma station. where they boarded a
special ferry boat which brought
them to Manhattan. When they ar
rived on the New York. side they
were driven through throngs (which
had waited for them in the rain to
the Waldorf Astoria hotel. The roy
al party was entertained at luncheon
by Vice President and Mrs. Marshall
and then went to their suite. Late in
the afteroon they went by motor car
for a sight seeing trip about the
city. but passed almost unnoticed, as
was their wish.