Omaha daily bee., 1919-10-29
BOTH HOUSES OF
CONGRESS Greet
BELCIUM'S KING
Law Makers of United States
Give Cordial Welcome
to Democratic SOL
dier Ruler.

Washington, Oct. IS.-Both
houses of congress paused in their
work to greet the king of the Bel
gians, his consort and their son. II
was the first visit of king to the
capitol and the lawmakers of the
nation gave cordial welcome to the
democratic soldier-ruler of Europe
Quickest little state.
King Albert is not given to long
speeches. His addresses, first in the
senate and then in the house, made
scarcely 900 words, but in them he
gave the American army credit for
assuring victory in the war, paid
homage to the fallen and extended
his sympathy to the wounded. He
expressed his admiration for the
United States, acknowledged the
debt of the makers of Belgium's
constitution to those who framed
that of this country, predicted that
the ties binding the two nations
never would be broken and offered
thanks to all the Americans who
aided his people in the war.
Little Ceremonial.
There was little ceremonial in the
visit to congress, but there was no
mistaking the warmth of the greet
ing given the royal Belgians and
the earnestness of the king in his
addresses was evident. The gal
leries were crowded Justices of the
supreme court, senators and spec
tators rose and applauded vigorously
as the tall, erect figure of the king
strobe down the aisle beside SEN
ator Lodge. Behind him came the
prince, escorted by Senator Hitch
cock.
A few moments later the hand
clapping changed to cheers as
Queen Elizabeth, gowned in white
and wearing wine colored cloak of
velvet, appeared in the executive
gallery with the wife of Vice Presi-
dent Marshall. Staid members of
the upper house forgot their dignity
in their admiration for the little
woman who had followed her hus-
band through the trenches in Bel
GUM.
Seated with Cummins.
The king was escorted to a seat
besides Senator Cummins, who was
presiding as president pro tenn, and
who greeted him with high praise
for his moral courage and his gal
lantry on the field. Prince Leopold
was seated on his fathers right
Grouped about them, carrying the
swords they wear only on cere-
monial occasions, were Lieut.. Gen.
Baron jacques, one of Belgium's
greatest military leaders; Col. Til
kens, aide to his majesty, and Major
Count D'Oultremont, adjutant of the
court. With them were Maj. Gen.
William M. Wright and Rear Ad-
miral Andrew T. Long, the kings
American aides; Ambassador Brand
Whitlock and Baron De Cartier De
Marchienne, the Belgian ahbassa-
dor.
Albert was interrupted more than
once by applause during his brief
address and there was another dem
onstration of approval when he had
finished. Later he and his son met
the senators individually.
The scene in the house was
repetition of thatsin the senate. On
the floor were the children of many
of the members and their cheers
were as enthusiastic as those of their
fathers. The king was sighted be-
fore his coming had been heralded
and the house and galleries rose to
greet him. There was another burst
Of applause when he was introduced,
and an even louder one when he had
finished.
Decorated with D. S. M. ri.
King Albert was the central figure
later in the day in ceremony more
picturesque if less important than
his visit to the capitol. 1t was en-
acted in the drawing room Of the
home of Breckenridge Long, where
he is a guest, when Secretary of War
Baker pinned upon his breast, by
direction of President Wilson, the
American Distinguished Service
Medal.
Pershing, commander of Amer
ica's forces in the field, was there
to greet the leader of Belgium's
armies. With him were General
March, General Jacques, his broad
chest covered with the ribbons de-
noting decorations from many coun-
tries; General Wright, Admiral
Long and Prince Leopold Albert
wore no decoration upon his lieu-
tenant generals uniform until that
of America was pinned there and the
only ribbon on Pershing's tunic de-
noted the war cross of Belgium.
The king, queen and their son
were the guests at dinner tonight Of
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