GERMANS OPPOSED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 249, 2 August 1941, Page 2

GERMANS OPPOSED

DEMONSTRATIONS IN BELGIUM. BRUSSELS PARTICULARLY BITTER (P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 1, A cablegrame from. London on Wednesday stated that anti-German demonstrations on a vast scale took place on Belgium National Day, July 21, and in Brussels were particularly bitter after the arrest of the Burgomaster Dr. van der Maulebroucke. Commenting on this the Consul-Gdne- $ ral for Belgium in New Zealand (M. Nihotte) stated that the present first magistrate of Brussels was a worthy successor to the late Burgomaster Max as was made evident by the following proclamation issued by -van der Meulebroucke, on June 30, of which M. Nihotte has received a copy:— “My dear fellow citizens. The German authorities have just informed me that I am to cease exercising my functions. I cannot do otherwise than submit to this order, although legally it constitutes a violation of the Hague Convention and in actual fact there is no justification for the action taken in my case. . I am indeed conscious of having loyally and efficiently fulfilled the many duties, invariably heavy and disagreeable,, which fall to the lot of those in authority in the towns and districts occupied by the enemy. 'lt was proposed to me that I should continue to exercise my functions, but in such conditions as would imply my personal participation in the execution of measures which violate the law of May 10, 1940. To submit would have meant trampling underfoot honour and duty and ■'dis* obeying one of the fundamental laws of our country, which I have sworn to obey. I refused. .Contrary to what is being said, I did not quit my post I have not tendered my resignation and I am-and shall always remain the only lawful burgomaster of Brussels. “All that is being done and may be done in the future in the application of the above decrees is without legal foundation. I shall not bid you ; good-bye, but au revqir, In leaving you for the tittle being I ask you to bear your misfortunes and sufferings. You will meet the challenge of fate. , with steadfast courage and confidence; with a strong will and proud heart.' Those who are true sons of our race fear nothing and fear nobody. Rest united. Our union will be our strength and our guarantee for a happier future. God will defend Belgium and her King.” * This proclamation was pasted oh the Walls of Brussels and twice torn down by. the Germans. Burgomaster van der Meulbroucke is now in a concentration camp in Germany.