LEOPOLD AT CASTLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 127, 30 May 1940, Page 8

LEOPOLD AT CASTLE.

Surrender Order Unsigned By Army Chief. COMMANDERS MAY DISOBEY. (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON", Majr 2!>. It is reported that King Leopold of Belgium lias arrived at a eastle near Brussels. His children have reached Lisbon. Reports from Paris state that King Leopold's order to lay down arms is believed to have been unsigned by the Chief of the Belgian Army, General Michiels, but bore the signature of his assistant, General Desrousseaux. This may result in some divisional commanders refusing to obey the order.

M. Picrlot and members of the Belgian Cabinet took part in Paris in a demonstration several thousand strong before the statue of the late King Albert of the Belgians, 011 which numerous wreaths were laid.

Black crepe had been tied around the base of the statue, and a noticc fixed to the statue read: "Venerated King, who made our country great, give us strength to wash away the shame with which your unhappy successor has covered Belgium. We swear to avenge this treason."'

Belgian newspaper correspondents .in Paris signed the following declaration: "King Leopold betrayed his country and broke his Constitutional oath. His capitulation effaced in a single stroke the sublime, page his father wrote in Belgian history. Murdered Belgium today feels coverc«r with shame, but will not accept the dishonour inflicted on her by a traitor. She asks France not ito judge her by her felon King.

"The Belgium of 1914-18 still lives, rtiul will renii'in faithful to her Allies and the sacred cause they defend."