Evening star., 1921-07-10
BY EDWARD MARSHALL.

nx EDWARD 4Ak6Sf1ALAs
7 ERE IL another great American
- achievement (not achieved In
fact, but ip the process Of
achievement), and the Belgians
believe that it will prove q spiritual and
indestructible barrier against future
German aggression. Note that 1t 10 an
American achievement.
Follows presently q talk with tho
American who has achieved 1t. And his
choice for the task is ar acknowledge
ment by Belgium. land Of artists. that
America has produced the worlds great
est architect.
How quickly we forget! Do you, for
instance. definitely recall the day when
the newspapers announced the German
destruction Of Belgium's precious treas
ures Of literature and learning. the price,
less collections Of the great library?
Seven years ago. in August. Much
water has run under the bridge. much
blood of heroes into Flanders soil since
then. And although 1t seemed unlikely
In those unbelieving, stunned days in
America that the United States could be
involved In the tremendous struggle
which began so unexpectedly and was
forced at first with such a ruthless hatred
and barbarty by the advancing Ger
mans, it was the fate Of this great peo-
pie to supply the mighty weight Of men
required to stem the tide of Teuton VIC
tory. =
When this occurred the conqueroas
withdrew from Louvain. They left 1t
tragically wrecked, criminally looted.
uplited with its hands clenched for
mighty blow had invaded maddened
Europe and turned the tide away from
despotism into the broad channels which
eventually will lead to calm, clean-souled
democracy.
ND now from this same nation, OF
n the free has gone a man. chosen
by tho suffering Belgians as Of, all
those in the world most fitted to, the
task, who has designed the structure
which will take the place Of that de-
stroyed, and another who will lay the
corner stone within q few weeks from
this date.
Whitney Warren Of the American
architectural firm of Warren ~ Wet
more, New York, was the man select
ed by the Belgians to rebuild the
shrine of literature and learning
olas Murray Butler Of Columbia Univer-
sity, New ork. was the man selected
by the Belgians to lay the corner
stonE and make the address proclaim
ing and interpreting the Significance
Of the event. The plans have been
which it is hoped, may be completed
by the aid Of American generosity. has
been begun Mr.. Butler has just
sailed for the great ceremony which
will come to pass.
Today 1t is the writer's privilege.
in connection with this article. to pre-
sent to the readers of this newspaper
exclusively the drawings which have
been prepared and which have been
accepted by the Belgian government
and to ask. upon behalf of Mr Butler
and others among the Americans
deeply interested. suggestions from
the public as to how best Belgium
may be assisted by Americans to COM
plete the task which already has been
started by Americans. The ceremony
Of the laying Of the corner stone will
No greater tribute ever has been
paid to the art accomplishments Of
any nation than the selection Of
Americans as the architects of the
new library at Louvain, for 1t Is
doubtful II any structure reared in
this generation, will have. in years to
come, such a Significance as this will
have.
TT will stand" said Mr.. Warren.
"the work and tribute of free peo-
pie to the gallantry of brethren whose
hearts might bleed. but whose knees
would never bend to the assault OF
the oppressor.
1T has been an inestimable privi-
lege and honor to have been intrusted
none half SO well as we quite UNDER
stand was bestowed not upon US. but
upon our country.
II believe that in the reconstruc-
tion Of this library lies the greatest
opportunity which presents itself TO-.
a monument on European soil for all
men Of the generations yet to come.
to that idealism which. despite the
vaporings Of politicians. we. as Amer
leans, truly know carried US into the
war.
1--WE were not afraid as has been
said: we had no need to save our
skins; we were inspired. we had tho
impulse to preserve democracy.
Had 1t not been true of us We
would have proved ourselves degen..
crate descendants of the founders OF
our great republic.
"PERsoNALLY. I am quite conf
dent that Americas practical
idealism will see the value of partici-
patton in this monument, which will
be as much Of a warning to those
who might incline toward errors SINH
lar to those Of furious Germany as
it will be a symbol Of sympathy for
Belgium and an attestation OF our
leadership in stimulation OF the am
bition Of the individual.
ut will stand upon the very spot
where Belgium threw herself across
the path Of the invading German
armies and gave France and England
the time necessary to organize re-
sistance. Thus it will be democracy's
great monument to democracy's pre-
servers. That, and that alone, Will be
its political significance.
Its spiritual Significance viii %
greater; will. indeed, be paramount.
Rising on the site Of the historic
building wiped away by milttaristic
frenzy, serving as one OK the great
centers Of European culture, but built
by the whole people OF America. 1
know that the Belgians feel that Its
mere existence will be guarantee that
nothing Of tho sort ever shall occur
again.
he knows the Belgians will thus ac-
cent the gesture Of America involved
in its construction, and that he feels
convinced that while it comforts Bel
rum it also will warn Germany and
whomsoever else may need q warn