The New York herald., 1922-04-16
CHIMES AT LOUVAIN
TO RING US. ANTHEM
Baron Cartier Says Plans for
New Library Are Going For
ward Rapidly.
AMERICAN AID PRAISED
Columbia Heads Drive by $40
Colleges Here to Build
Structure.
AMERICAN AID PRAISED

Chimes rivaling those of the historic
hour alternately ring out 1.-THE Star
spangled Banner and the national
hymns Of the Allies from the belfry Of
the new s1.Ooo,000 library of the Uni
versity of Louvain, Baron de Cartier.
Belgian Ambassador. said yesterday in
message to the American people de-
scribing Cardinal Mercier's hopes, grad
ually approaching fruition. for an edifice
which shall stand through the centuries
as "a monument Of protest against bar
barism and as an arsenal Of civilized
faith and aspiration"
Growing the library. funds for the
erection of which are being raised by
the $40 colleges and universities OF the
United States In a national movement
headed by Columbia University, will be
high balustrade bearing the coats-of-
arms of the United States and Belgium.
Though its body was destroyed. Lou
vain's soul was beyond the power OF the
Germans" said the Belgian Anrbassa-
dor, quoting President Harding's refer
ence to the library as noble UNDER
taking.
Steel for the new building will be
shipped from America, 1t was announced
yesterday at Columbia. DR.. Nicholas
Murray Butler, Columbias president.
has authorized the beginning of con-
strucuon, although the fund is still far
from complete. DR.. Butler Is chaGrman
of the national committee of the United
States for the Restoration of the Uni
versity OF Louvain.
DR.. Butler characterized the rebuild
ing of the Louvain Library as duty
resting upon America
Books for the library are pouring In
added DIR. Butler. These have been
collected in large number under the de
recton of the librarian of Ryland's LIZ
brary at Manchester, England, and un-
der the direction of the Librarian OF
Congress at Washington. Other books
have come from France, from Italy,
from Holland and other countries.
IN. Imbart de la Tour of the Instltut
de France, who is chairman of the In
ternadonal committee on the reconstruc-
ton of Louvain, Is rendering vigorous
and influential assistance. The whole
world Is aroused, and as result when
the library building is completed col
lection Of books that will be almost
unique fin the history of libraries will
be ready to occupy 1t.
"The old library OF the University OF
Louvain contained many treasures. in
cluding manuscripts. incunabula and
early maps. Most OF these can never be
replaced. But by the terms OF the
Treaty of Versailles. article 24I. Ger
many undertakes to furnish to the Uni
versity of Loyvain manuscripts. incu-
nabula, printed books, maps and other
objects corresponding in number and
value to those destroyed by Germany In
the burning of the library In 1914.
by this provision Of the treaty. the
collection at Louvain will contain many
objects of unusual antiquity and In
terest. In addition, 1t will have the
noble and many sided collections which
the friends OF Louvain are now bring
ing together in various lands.
"The essential thing is the quick con-
struction OF the building. For that LOU
vain waits upon the generous coopera-
ton in a multitude of small gifts OF
several hundred thousands OF Amer
lean men and women as well. as stu.
dents in universities. colleges and
schools"