Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-16

hibition, however, know that another
purpose, besides acquainting the Amer
lean people with the art of Belgium, Is
being accomplished by this array OF
curious paintings.
Next Spring there is to be held In
Antwerp an extensive international ex-
position. It is to commemorate the
centenary Of national independence Of
Belgium, together with the completion
of the vast harbor improvements which
will place this port among the best
equipped and most commodious in the
world.
The art display is in a sense, O part
of BelgiumS endeavor to attract citi-
zens Of this country to that exposition.
The cultured aristocrat Of foreign Dip
lomats in Washington-the Belgian
Ambassador, Prince de Ligne-is one Of
those most responsible for the exhi-
bition. Skillfully he combined his So
licitude for culture with patriotic en-
deavor
Prince de Ligne is the most debonair
and courtly Of Washington's resident
diplomats. His wife, Princess de Ligne,
is famed for her graciousness.
Although the prince comes Of line
that includes some of the Oldest and
most powerful names in European his
tory, he charms Washington with his
democratic attitude.
He and his family move freely in
the Capitals polyglot social world.
Their exalted position never wavers for
a moment but at the same time they
take on many tasks which they could
easily evade.
There are four children in the De
Ligne family. The eldest two daughters
crossed the social threshold of WASH
ington with far less ceremony than the
average debutante requires. The only
son of the house, Prince Albert Ed
ward Philippe Marie Lamoral de Likne,
is completing his education in Belgium.
He is 10 years old.
If cotton had been worth anything
down South back in 1898, then hand
some, soft-voiced and congenial Col.
Campbell B. Hodges would not be at
the White House today as military aide
to the President.
But, at the turn Of the century, cot
ton in Louisiana brought only 4 cents
a pound. Times were hard Money
was scarce in the Hodges family. And
as q result the career of Col. Hodge
shaped itself along lines entirely dif-
ferent from what he had planned.
He had his eye on the United States
NdNdA ACdueHly. OeWey was the nero
of the hour as a result Of his feat In
Manila Bay. Battleships and anything
connected with the Navy were ali peo-
pie could talk about. Young Hodges
set about to get an appointment to
Annapolis.
Inquiry of his Representative in Con-
gress revealed that there were no va
cancies at Annapolis but if he desired
an appointment to West Point instead
1t would be arranged. The offer was
declined with thanks. It was the NAVY
or nothing for him.
Some time later Hodges and his father
met the Representative near their
home. He told them that he had made
the appointment despite the refusal, and
that 1t would stand until December of
that year in the event Hodges changed
his mind.
Riding home that afternoon, father
and son passed many cotton fields.
Their conversation was mainly on one
topic-hoW hard times were Before
they had reached home young Hodges
mind was made up. He would forget
the Navy and 60 to West Point.
In a few days he left the South and
entered a preparatory school In the
East to prepare for the entrance ex-
aminations. In June of 1899 he was
enrolled as a cadet.
Much the same is true Of President
Hoovers naval aide-Capt. Allen Blu
chanan.
Capt. Buchanan wanted an appoint