Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-31
De L|GNE POUNDS
MEDAL At SCHOOL
Award to Be Given for Ten
Years for Best Paper
on Belgium.

In nOnOr OF the forthcoming cente-
nary of the independence of Belgium,
Prince Albert de Ligne, the Belgian Am
bassador to the United States, has
founded gold medal in the School of
Foreign Service of Georgetown Univer-
sity to further promote "the happily
existing friendship" between the two
nations by encouraging the study of his
country's history.
Like the founders of your school, I"
the Ambassador wrote In a letter to DR..
Edmund A. Walsh, S. j., its regent,
transmitting his offer, 81, too, believe
that the outlook for better international
relations depends largely on a more
complete and accurate understanding :"
Prince de Ligne explained to the
school authorities that the medal, which
bears on one side the coat of arms Of
the Ambassador, will be made available
for a period of 10 years, and is to be
awarded to the student in the course on
the political and diplomatic history of
Europe who submits the best essay dur
ing the year on some phase of Belgian
history. Its first award will be made at
the June commencement this year.
One Hundredth Anniversary.
Belgium starts the celebration of the
Tooth anniversary Of its independence
in March Of this year." Prince de Ligne
wrote. This seems to me an unusually
suspicious occasion to stimulate the in
tereSt of Americans In the better knowl-
edge Of the history of my country.
THE people of the United States have
shown over period of many years their
deep interest in my country, and have
evidenced it by practical acts in friend
ship, which are almost unparalleled in
the history of the world. feel that it
would be mutually beneficial to both
nations, and still further promote the
happily existing friendship, If the lead
ers of tomorrow in the United States
namely, its university students of to-
day-could be encouraged to make still
further studies in Belgian history. A
knowledge of the trials and fluctuations
OF my country over period of CEN
turtles, with the resulting achievements,
will enable one to understand better
what Belgium Is today and what are its
hopes and aspirations.
Since my arrival some years ago In
Washington" Prince de Ligne added
Il have been impressed with the work
of the School of Foreign Service of
Georgetown University in promoting in
ternational peace. friendship and pros
perity through understanding between
the nations of the world. Like the
that the outlook for better international
relations depends largely on a more
complete and accurate understanding
Of what the nations are today and why.
have. noted particularly the work that
the school has been doing in the field
Of the political and diplomatic history
of Europe under the direction of DR.
Leonid Strakhovsky, who made most OF
his historical studies at our venerable
University of Louvain, from which he
received the doctors degree in historical
science.
Establishes Medal.
"In view of these facts, and in order
to encourage further the study in the
history Of my country" he concluded
I should like to offer personally to the
school, a medal to be awarded to the
student in the courses on political and
diplomatic history of Europe who pre-
sents the best essay during the year or
some phase of Belgian history. Offer
this medal to be effective Immediately
and to continue over a period Of 10
years."
The jury of award for the Prince de
Ligne Gold Medal, as it will become
known at Georgetown, consists of the
Ambassador, Or. Strakhovsky, and DR.
Thomas H. Healy, assistant dean of the
school. The school authorities were
particularly pleased to have this media
established because the history of Bel.
GUM, in addition to its general history
affords the opportunity for study Of 9
F., typical European nation.
Dr.. Stravkhovsky, who is professor II
the course which Is being honored, /.
| Russian who joined the Georgetown
| faculty last year. He lived for a mum.
Der of years in Belgium after the fal
OF the czarist regime and is a graduate
Of several Russian universities. He wa.
persuaded to come to this country b!
DR.. Walsh and has assisted the latte
in preparing his studies of Sovie
/ Russia,