The sun., 1919-06-23
Speech on League Gets No
Applause and Populace
Is Cool to Visitor.
SEE LITTLE IN TREATY
All Europe Shows Disappoint-
ment and National Jeal-
Ousies Seem to Exist.
By LAURENCE HILLS.


STAT Correspondents OF TEE SuN.
Copyright, 1913; all rights reserved.
PARIS, June 22.-Two days observa-
TONS made ON President Wilson's visit
% Belgium, the last Presidential tour
10 be made in Europe. have confirmed
ire impression that Europe has chilled
toward him. Whether 1t is because he
is row an old story or for the reason
that his performances have fallen
short Of his promises may be open to
scnne argument, but from the opinions
heard in Brussels it would appear to
be more the latter than the former.
sense Of disappointment seems to
pervade all Europe. The people had
pxpected a new gospel to be written;
they seem to see nothing In the treaty
bearing out this expectation. The
covenant Of the League Of Nations was
a disappointment, along with the rest.
Fear of the future. and national
jealousles exist everywhere.
Children Alone Enthusiastic.
The Presidents most important
speech, made before the Belgian Par
lament. evoked little enthusiasm, not
even as much as a speech In English
by the introducer Of the President.
References to the League Of Nations
elected no applause whatever. Indeed,
most OF the enthusiasm on the Belgian
trip came from the children. whose
well fed bodies and radiant faces bore
eloquent tribute to the ability of Her.
bert Hoover as a food director.
Hoover accompanied the President so
they had good reason to cheer the party
and cheer they did. these Belgian chill
dren, who lined the road waving their
pretty flags. ''Hoover's children" is
what all call them. and Hoover Is Bel
gums idol. as was well demonstrated
when the venerable Cardinal Mercier
during the Presidential call at Maiiues
kept his arm around Hoover's shoulder
The Belgian trip was interesting be-
cause II represented Europe's final re-
action on President Wilson. In this con-
nection it was apparent the minute that
President Wilson alighted from the
train and began the tour of King Al
erts tight little country that the former
dolatry no longer existed and that
even curiosity to see the American
President had lessened.
But the trip also was interesting be-
cause It gave the Americans a chance
TO observe the country so long under
German occupation and because It
sOounded in novel incidents. The King
and Queen. who are by all odds the
most charming couple in Europe, captI-
waiting all the Americans In the party
by their democratic simplicity, COR
iuctaA ha ,5a
country as simple gentlefolk might snow
their home.
President Seemed Tired.
The President, however, on this trip
was tired out man. He lacked snap
and his speech was spiritless. 1t was
evident that Tor the first time he was
laboring with great difficulty to get
IDEAS. His friends now are wondering
u he Will be In shape for the campaign
Tor the League OF Nations which he has
planned TO make in the United States.
But tired as he was King Albert sue
ceeded in bringing the war home to him
as nobody else has done. After show
ing him the terrible Flanders battlefield
ne first day, making him climb the first
me trenches and survey the desolaticn.
the graveyard and the observation posts
$50 "a NAAAB 6uIis kno IAluk Wnlilcu
OUT on the second day to see the awful
destruction wrought upon the factories
o. Charlesroi. which made a tremendous
IMPRESSION on the President.
the Presidents address In the Cham
Der OF Deputies evidently was disap-
pointing, as his hearers had expected
MN TO defend the treaty and also looked
TOT something more definite in regard to
me aid TO be extended to Belgium. The
reception by Cardinal Mercier brought
he President in contact with one of the
most interesting figures of Belgium. He
reached the palace at Malines through
mile OF children waving flags.
solemn Scene at Louvain.
But the most interesting incident of all
vas at Louvain. when, standing in the
oAckened ruins of the roofless library,
ne received degree from the ancient
university and signed the roll with a
golden pen. The palms set around for
Inc royal party only accumulated the
a"rulness OF those towering, blackened
walls and heaps of debris over which
inc party had climbed. The scene as the
american President addressed the rector
ana FACULTY In the ruins will never be
forgotten by those who witnessed It.
brussels turned out the largest crowd
,or the President. Before the ancient
MOTEL de Vile. or City Hall, the grand
para surrounded by ancient guildhalls.
vas packed when the President and
Nms Albert appeared on the carpeted
palcony. But there was no such well
soIhe as was afforded in the similar
scene az Milan.
me President took leave OF Belgium
aper state dinner In the palace. his
departure being marked by another of
noSe royal leave takings to which now
e mas become accustomed. only in this
instance II was the guard and the car
pptd Platform more than the King and
S-seh VINO gave 1t the royal touch.
ne party came direct to the train
. ION Tho dinner, the Queen, with only
s"t mantle thrown over her dinner
80 was bareheaded and wore a dia-
.Io"d coronet. The King walked on
~, platform with the President. wnIls
n.y. NJ queen devoted her attention to Mrs.
"Ison and Miss Margaret Wilson.
helgium Is a garden spot. Its people
NOV little Of the effects of the war
rs, s towns and its farms are pictures OF
ota1erlness. For this perhaps Hoover
.hy Is responsible. although he kept
tne background most OF the time and