Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-19
TO BELGIUM
.PHONED. BY HOOVER
King: land Queen Participate
- !, d Celebration Of ".Hoo-
!. !: F.. ..::ver Day"

/ Warm tribute to Belgium for its
courage apd sacrifices during the World
War was paid today by tPresident-elect
Herbert. Hoover in an address delivered
over the transatlantic. telephone to
Bftsselse : 49,
1.-The occasion was the. celebration of
Hoover day" hi Belgium in ,recogni-
ton Of Mr.; Hoover's work during; the
war as. head. of the Belgium relief.
The King and Queen of. Belgium par
ticipated in the celebration.
Mr.. Hoover, speaking from his head
quarters, said:
II appreciate this opportunity to ex-
tend my greetings to your majesties
and to my many old friends of the re-
lief organization in Belgium I could
not join in this occasion without a
food of memories of the years of our
association during the great war. Time
quickly dims that gigantic period in the
minds of men. and the problems and
difficulties of reconstruction from the
war envelop our attention. But nothing
dims the radiance of Belgian Sacri-
fee and courage There are none who
do not pay homage to its imperishabie
chapter of patriotism and sacrifice.
''The very minor paragraph which in
history will be allotted to the relief
organization will be chapter fh proof
of the altruism of the tens of thousands
of Belgians who volunteered to carry
the burden of its administration over
four long years-a service where men
and women gave a devotion in allevia-
ton of suffering second only to the
devotion of those of the supreme service
of war.
1T is the acts of service. of sacrifice
and OF heroism in all nations that
should remain as the heritage of the
great war, for in these, all humanity
can unite in a common satisfaction
and a common inspiration.
Il rejoice also in the assistance that
the continuing activities of the relief
organization have been able to give to
the advancement of education in Bel
glum. 1t Is memorial of a great
period which brings every year a new
harvest and satisfaction.
Il thank your majesties, the prime
minister and other friends for their
renewed expressions of good will to
myself and my associates and to rly
country. 1t marks an enduring friend
ship for 1t springs from the hearts of
men. 1t finds deep response in my
countrymen.''
At the conclusion of Mr.. Hoover's
remarks, King Albert of Belgium said !:
Il congratulate most sincerely the
President-elect of the. United States,
to whom a great Nation has. through
an imposing vote, entrusted the leader
ship of its destinies. The United States
of America, which extend from one
ocean to another, combine the splendid
development of industrial technique
and production with the noblest solici-
tude for universal peace.
"The Kellogg pact has brought for
ward an ideal of high international
morality. 1t is the duty of all inter-
ested nations to maintain xhiS ideal
unblemished.
Belgium will never forget the help
given by Mr.. Hoover to her people suf-
fering in the throes of the great war.
He was the soul of their relief amidst
the greatest political maritime and
economic difficulties. In the name of
the Belgian people express our SYM
pathy and gratefulness to the great
American who has we'll deserved the
title which none other has yet OBJ
tained of Friend of Belgium" "
When his majesty had concluded, Mr.
Hoover replied:
Your majesty, may I express again
| my hopes for the continued health and
happiness OF your majesties. And may
I add again my hope for the prosperity
of Belgium"