The Great Gatsby, comprehended Montenego's troubled history

I'd like to know if the word "comprehended" in the following extract from the chapter Four of The Great Gatsby means "include" or "showed hit understanding":

Little Montenegro! He lifted up the words and nodded at them—with his smile. The smile comprehended Montenegro’s troubled history and sympathized with the brave struggles of the Montenegrin people. It appreciated fully the chain of national circumstances which had elicited this tribute from Montenegro’s warm little heart. My incredulity was submerged in fascination now; it was like skimming hastily through a dozen magazines.

Thank you.