Evening star., 1934-02-18
RULERS
VISIT RECALLED
King Albert Accorded Royal
Welcome During Stay
in Capital.

Albert, King Of the Belgians, who
first endeared himself to Americans
through his heroic leadership Of the
Belgian forces during the war-when
the 6-foot-2-inch, 200-pound ruler ate
the fare of regular soldier and per-
mitted himself no fayors of any
kinds well remembered by WASH
ingtonians who recall his four-day
visit here during the Fall Of 1919.
No visit by royalty to the National
Capital has ever attracted more gen.
uine interest than that paid by the
Belgian King and his consort, Queen
Elizabeth, who came here on October
27 and remained during four crowded
days. During their stay, they were
housed in the home of Breckenridge
Long, then Assistant Secretary Of
State, at 1929 Sixteenth street.
Entertained at White House.
President Wilson was in poor health
at the time, but the royal couple was
entertained informally at the White
House on several occasions by Mrs.
Wilson and Miss Margaret Wilson,
daughter of the war President.
At the time of their visit, it had
been less than a year since the arm
istice ending the World War, and no
figure in that conflict had more cap
tured the imagination of Americans
in general than the colorful ruler of
the Belgians. AS a result, his visit
in this country-beginning on Oc-
tober when the royal party landed
in New York-was hailed as that of
conquering hero.
During their first day here, the
King and Queen might have gotten
the impression that Washington Is
peopled largely with boys and girls
of grade-schooi age. The superin-
tendent of schools had extended the
noon hour recess so as to permit the
school children to see the distin-
guished visitors, and thousands of
youngsters, most of them carrying
American and Belgian flags, march
ed to the houte where King Albert
and Queen Elizabeth were to pass on
their way to the Capitol.
Congress Pays Tribute.
It was during the second day of his
sAolL IC1C t4AdO IIC 40Cl6laAl AAlS hdo
the guest OF Congress, receiving an
ovation very similar to that which,
eight years later, was accorded Charles
A. Lindbergh after his return from
his epochal flight to Paris.
First in the Senate and then in the
House, the head of the gallant little
nation which first bore the brunt Of
the German attack received a thun-
dering welcome in which every men,
Der OF the Congress then in the city
participated.
King Albert addressed both legisla-
tive bodies, expressing the thanks of
his people for the assistance the
United States rendered during the
war and declaring that the final VIC
tory was due to American arms In
the Senate, Senator Cummins of
Iowa, president pro TEN, introduced
the royal visitor. Vice President
Marshall earlier in the day had called
on the King as Chief Executive, due
to the illness Of President Wilson.
Speaker Gillett presided in the House
and presented King Albert to the
Representatives.
While King Albert, his son, the
Duke of Brabant, and others of the
party were received on the floor of the
Senate, Queen Elizabeth was escorted
to a place in the Senate gallery
usually reserved for the President and
Vice President.
Were TireIess Sightseers.
During the brief stay here, both
King and Queen proved tireless sight
seers despite the fact they had had
three weeks of it in this country be-
fore coming to the Capital
Visits were paid to the Navy Yard,
Mount Vernon, Red Cross headquar-
tiers, Walter Reed Hospital, the Bu-
reau of Engraving and Printing and
other points Of interest. A trip also
was made to the Naval Academy at
Annapolis
When King Albert visited the
Bureau Of Engraving and Printing,
many Of the veteran employees were
presented to the king, who greeted
them as cordially as though they had
been ambassadors. At Walter Reed
Hospital, Prince Leopold was escorted
through the medical and surgical
wards, stopping to talk with many of
the soldier patients.
Mrs. Thomas F.. Walsh, at whose
home on Massachusetts, avenue Vice
President and Mrs. Marshall enter
tanned the royal couple at dinner was
decorated by the Queen with "the
order of Elizabeth, Queen of Belgium"
for her relief work during the war.
The royal couple were dinner guests
of Vice President and Mrs. Marshall,
Secretary of State and Mrs. Lansing
and Baron de Cartier, then Belgian
Ambassador. They also were tea
guests of Mrs. Wilson and Miss Mar
garet Wilson, the Presidents daugh-
ter, and were luncheon guests aboard
the presidential yacht Mayfiower.
Those who passed the Long home
on Sixteenth street during Albert's
stay there saw group Of 10 United
States Marines guarding the entrance
with cleaning fixed bayonets. All
were I'd Division veterans who had
marched through Eastern Belgium en-
route to Germany less than a year
before.
Numerous academic and other hon
ors were conferred on the royal couple
during their stay here. King Albert
was decorated by Gen. John ]. Per-
shing, and received honorary degrees
from George Washington and Cath
olic Universities. Queen Elizabeth
received a degree from Trinity Col
lege.
More than 100, 900 persons greeted
the royal party on their arrival here,
jamming the Union Station and the
streets which they passed en- route
to the Long home, and huge throngs
cheered them throughout their stay.
Prince Proves Democratic.
The Duke of Brabant, who now
succeeds his father as King, proved