Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-06-27
PRESIDENT WILSON IN BELGIUM,


President Wilson, who reached
,hr belgium capital the night of the
ISth, after days trip from the
harder. which took him through
,hc districts devastated by the war,
Lecan the second day of his visit to
E,lnium on the morning of the 10Th
nv motoring 10 Charleroi with King
,Ibert. The King wished to show
The american Executive the deStruc-
lion wrought by the Germans in the
mines at Charleroi and supply him
with documentary information of
the wholesale and systematic de-
s,ruclion practiced by the Germans.
The President was not accompan-
led on the Charleroi visit by Mrs.
Wilson, who was somewhat fatigued
after yesterdays trying Journey.
4 luncheon at the American lega-
lion, the appearance of the Presi-
dent bfore the Belgian Chamber of
Deputies and his reception by Car
dnal Mercier at Malines, were few
of the features on the days pro-
gram.
The President and King Albert
set out on their trip to Charleroi
at y o'clock. They were accompan-
led by NJ. Jaspar, the Minister of
Economics, and numerous suite.
On stepping out of the Palace that
morning the President found sever
al thousand persons assembled there
who clamOred for speech. He re-
spondcd with his first public talk,
which was confined to few words.
"My friends" said the President,
lin coming here personally I have
merely followed my own heart and
The heart of the American people
toward Belgium"
In the Palace the President had
met all the members of the Belgian
Cabinet and Cardinal Mercier. By
calling first, the Cardinal offered a
diplomatic route. for the Presidents
call upon him at Malines during that
day.
The general council Of the Bel
san Labor party addressed d mes
sage to President Wilson, in which
ii says:
"'Thc Labor party repudiates any
peace of violence and awaits the
reign of definite peace assuring
The sovereignty of labor and the
triumph Of President Wilson's prin-
ciplcs."
The address recalls the interven-
lion of the United States in the
war, and adds:
"lf the working classes every
where were masters of their destin-
les, it is beyond doubt that the
PRESIDENTS program would have
completely triumphed at the Peace
conference and Belgium would
have obtained complete reparation
1or the losses she suffered"
After seeing the devastation
wrought by the Germans at Char
ierol and the coal mines at Mar
chelnnc near by the President re-
turned at 1890 o'clock for lunch
con given by Minister Whitlock at
ihe American Legation. An hour
later he attended reception by the
American Colony, WHICH, although
not large, comprises a highly en-
tluSlastic group of men and women.
Later The President gave 20 minutes
10 receiving Belgian journalists, af-
tvr winch he appeared before the
chamber of Deputies, where, after
q very cordial speech of welcome
~. King Albert, he delivered the
principal speech of the day,
abo"nding in noble expressions of
interest in and friendship for Bel
gum and her people. In these
speeches in Belgium the President
seemed to speak, even more than is
usual with him straight from a heart
,uli OF love and sympathy for all
mankind. Believing that all men
are brothers he is for peace, har-
,Hohy and goodwill among the ma
ions of the earth. We have no doubt
, nla, ne assented to the drastic terms
@ ,";u down for peace with Germany
WIN WI, the consideration uppermost
J." MS mind that Germany had been
great sinner and simple justice re-
nu'red nI that she be severely punish