"HORRIBLE LIE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 106, 7 May 1934, Page 7

"HORRIBLE LIE."

'TAP ON THE HEAD'

KING ALBERT'S DEATH.

Author's Statement Rouses

Belgians.

EVIDENCE OF ACCIDENT.

<TJnitea P.A.-Eleetric Telegraph-Copyright)

(Received 10.30 a.m.)

LONDON, May 6. "King Albert of Belgium did not meet his death by an accidental fall but was 'tapped on the back of the head,'" declared Mr. Graham Hutchinson, author and publicist, in an address at the Nottingham Writers' Club. He added that the story of the King's death was issued in Belgium before he died.

"A man with a rope around his waist does not go climbing by himself," said Mr. Hutchinson. "His body and hands were not bruised. The facts are that the King would not participate in the devilry of Franco conspiring for war against defenceless Germany."

Interviewed subsequently Mr. Hutchinson declared that he possessed documentary evidence in support of his statement, and could produce ' circumstantial evidence that King Albert was tapped on the back of the head as the Belgian people well knew.

M. Albert, secretary to the Belgian Embassy, commenting on Mr. Hutchinson's statement, said: "It is a horrible lie that decent-minded people throughout the world will treat with contempt. If Mr. Hutchinson will come to the Embassy and repeat the statement I shall punch him on the jaw."'

The statement was received with disgust in Brussels. It is stated it would not bear scrutiny. King Albert always used a rope when climbing alone. There is gruesome proof that his head struck a rock.

The alpinist, Count de Grunne, who organised the search party, says that the official account of the circumstances of the King's death can indisputably be confirmed by facts and photographs.

Mr. Hutchinson declined to make a further statement in view of the Belgian Embassy's denial.