New-York tribune., 1919-09-10
Merciier, Hero
Cardinals of
Belgiiun1,Here
Continued from page l

bent and kissed the ring on the slender
finger of the cardinal as the prelate
murmured his blessing to each.
The party then started back to the
dock, where they boarded the Patrol.
AS the Cardinal stepped off the gang
plank the band swung into the stirring
strains of ola Brabanconne," the
national air Of Belgium. AS the first
strains fell on the ears of the aged
prclate he faltered and took a step
backward as if overwhelmed with sur
prise He recovered himself quickly
and a smile crossed his face. With
sweeping bow he uncovered and re-
NAMED thus until the playing was
! finished.
Belgian Mission Present
The pier was crowded with welcome
the United States, which includes
Colonel Leon Osterreith, Captain Gus
tavus Whiteley and NJ. Tetelier, secre-
tary to the Belgian Embassy, were pres
ent. Baron de Cartier, who was a
, member of the World Peace Conference
in Paris, and his wife were fellow pas
sengers with the Cardinal. He is the
first ambassador of Belgium to the
United States, and will leave immedi
ately for Washington.
The crowd formed a hollow square
with Cardinal MERCER in the centre.
He smiled and grippcd the hands that
were extended to him. AS the prelate
started to walk toward the Patrol the
returning soldiers on the Northern Pa
cifc gave him three long cheers, and
he turned toward them and bowed.
Then some of the returning soldiers
called for cheers for Cardinal Farley.
This seemed to affect many of the
clergy who were with the Cardinal, for
they realized that the returning fighters
did not know that Cardinal Farley. who
had urged many of them to take up
arms in defence of justice, was dead.
After His Eminence entered the
Patrol quick run up the Hudson to
| Fiftieth Street was made. From the
Recreation Pier to st. Patrick's
Cathedral Cardinal Mercier rode with
Archbishop Hayes and Mayor Hylan.
All along the way from the pier to
St. Patrick's children lined the streets
and waved their greeting. At the
residence of Archbishop Hayes large
crowd had gathered and the Cardinal
entered the house through n narrow
lane of men and women, some Of whom
knels in the street to receive his bless
ing.
Silent on League and Treaty
Cardinal Mercicr consented 70 meet
the newspaper reporters for q short
interview Immediately after he en-
tered the house. The talk lasted SO
long, however, that Archbishop Hayes
was forced to interrupt, for fear the
aged prelate was too tired from the
\
interview turned a deaf car to the
pleas of the reporters that he be seat
ed. He answered all questions with
pleasure, but declined to express any
opinion on the league Of nations OF
the peace treaty.
81 am astonished," he said, cat the
reception you people have given me.
come to thank your people for the
splendid work you did from the time
OF the German occupation of my coun-
try until the armistice was signed. In
the name Of the people Of my country
| come to tell you how grateful we are
Catholics and Protestants alike in Bel
gium are more than grateful | come
to thank you especially for that great
institution Mir. Hoover established, the
presence Of which prevented the Ger.
mans from taking more OF our food II
1t were not for this many more OF on,
people would have died. We shall
never forget it.
Impressed by Visit
!. 81 am very deeply moved in coming
i, here. felt that when | landed i
was a historic moment in my life. The
lmmenslty Of the service Your pcoplt
have rendered my people cannot full,
be told you by me You ladies ane
gentlemen OF the press, who carry or
such good moral and social mission
tor me-. you will tell the people of m,
gratefulncss. BY your pen and YOU
voice you can thus interpret for me il
. places where | cannot go to speak.
"Ihe Belgians want to start worl
iagaln, but many OF our people are idlt
because of the German. He ha.
wrecked our machinery, which is on.
OF the greatest crimes he committee d
We want machinery and we want raw
materials. Our people want work ant
want want to be helped by you. owe it t.
them to tell YOU this. The two coun
trles, Belgium and the United States
shall forever work hand in hand. We
are the weaker and you are the
, ! stronger and you will aid us.
This is indeed remarkable endine
of delightful voyage, voyage ir
company with many Of your returnine
soldiers from task we'll done. | have
yearned to come and tell you of the
love have for you. l have followed
the work of the Americans in Europe
and 1T was wonderful"
"Wha is if that yO,, r,or+oJ