Belgian Band

Under the patronage of His Majesty King Albert and His Highness Prince Albert de Ligne, Belgian Ambassador to the U.S., there arrived last week in Manhattan the Symphonic Band of the Royal Belgian Guards, for a three months' tour of the U.S.

Old as Belgian Independence is the famed Regiment des Guides, and old as the Regiment des Guides is the Royal Belgian Band which was organized to make its music. During the War the Band, too, served as a fighting unit, won high distinction for bravery.

Royal was the welcome extended to Royal Belgians last week in Manhattan. Prince Albert de Ligne and his Ambassadorial staff met them at the pier, took them to City Hall where Mayor James J. Walker had grateful remarks ready for all Belgium. Royally did it respond at its concert for the benefit of the Reconstruction Hospital, playing symphonic music according to the arrangements of Leader Arthur Prevost with skill and spirit well calculated to rival the bands of John Philip Sousa and the U.S. Marines, or even the historic German Band which attended Chicago's World's Fair in 1893.