BELGIAN KING’S SURRENDER

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25995, 24 December 1949, Page 7

BELGIAN KING’S SURRENDER

ATTITUDE OF KING GEORGE LETTER PUBLISHED IN - BRUSSELS PAPER BRUSSELS, December 22. The newspaper “Ce Soir” to-day published a letter said to have been written by King George in May, 1940, to King Leopold telling him that he was making an unnecessary secrifice by remaining with his troops instead of going to Britain with his Government. The letter is dated May 26, 1940 two days before the Belgian Army surrendered. The newspaper claimed that the letter had been sent in reply to one from King Leopold. “Ce Soir” quoted the letter from King George as saying: “In making this decision, your Majesty will not fail to realise the importance of establishing a Government with full powers outside enemy occupied territory, and although paying tribute to your Majesty’s devotion, we must, myself and my Government, express our anxiety concerning your decision. “While it would be presumptuous on my part to give you advice on tfee question of your duty toward your people, I may say that as far as the Allies and the accomplishment of their common war aims are concerned, I do not feel that your Majesty is called upon to make this intended sacrifice.”

“Ce Soir” said that the letter warned King Leopold about the possibility of being taken to Germany as a prisoner, and added: “Such a situation would deprive your people of their natural leader without, as far as I am able to ascertain, bringing any compensatory advantage.”