BELGIUM NEED NOT PLEDGE ASSISTANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 82, 8 April 1937, Page 7

BELGIUM NEED NOT PLEDGE ASSISTANCE.

NEW ARRANGEMENT. Will Maintain Army To Deter Aggression. FRANCO-SOVIET PACT FEAR. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 12 noon.) LONDON, April 7. The Australian Associated Press political correspondent understands that Mr. Eden is likely to go to Brussels shortly in connection with France and Britain conceding Belgium's independence. It is understood that the effect of the new arrangement is that Belgium henceforth will not be pledged to assist any other nation in the event of aggression, and will no longer be bound to participate with France and Britain in military staff talks. Belgium in return for guarantees of independence will undertake to equip and maintain an efficient army sufficient to be a deterrent against an aggressor, and will also agree to remain faithful to her League obligations. The Prime Minister, Dr. Van Zeeland, will thereby be enabled to satisfy a large section of the public demanding independence owing to fears that the Franco-Soviet pact will embroil Belgium. He will now be able to declare: We are only safeguarding our independence, but our hands will not be tied as before the Great War, because, if we are attacked by an aggressor, Belgium will be free to retaliate.